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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- andersonda89@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: davidanderson7118@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2020 18:44:34 +0000
Subject: assistant
Untitled form
To fill it out, visit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVypg4JPIiAlHZTaRJw7jGatLVTpshltq6Gh2BMaWz5RFpTg/viewform?vc
Dear Friend,
I am David Anderson. I work as a procurement assistant. I got your contact
details in my search for a reliable and neutral company or individual to
partner with me in area of investment. I need your assistance to manage
investment fund in a profitable business in your region with a good annual
return on investment (AROI).
I know this mail might come to you as a surprise because we neither know
each other nor have ever met but please accept it with an open and positive
mind.
Details of investment and funding will be furnished to you when your
response which will also facilitate a face to face meeting with the
investors. Kindly get back to me on my personal email: andersonda89@aol.com
Thank you,
Yours Sincerely
David Anderson
Google Forms: Create and analyze surveys.
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Anti-fraud resources:
