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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:
 -  This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.  
 -  The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
 -  "fund beneficiary" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
 
 -  "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
 
 -  "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
 
 -  "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
 
  -  This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams. 
 
Fraud email example:
From: Robin Sanders <mrsrobinsanderrs@gmail.com> 
Reply-To: mrsrobinnsanders@gmail.com 
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2021 17:22:35 +0430 
Subject: ABOUT YOUR FUND!! 
 
 
 
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Attn;Fund beneficiary, 
 
I am Mrs. Robin Sanders, Former U.S.A Ambassador to Nigeria. With  
reference to your entitlement fund and in line with the CHANGE OF  
BENEFICARY'S APPLICATION, signed by Mrs. Glenda F. Ward with your  
purported authorization. This case has been carefully examined and we  
have declined Mrs. Ward's application and reported to the security  
department for appropriate action, as the application lacks regular  
signature. But Did you ever instruct Mrs. Glenda F. Ward to claim your  
fund worth US$7.000.000? Below is the bank account information provided  
by Mrs. Glenda F. Ward saying that you authorized her to claim your fund  
that you are terminally ill. 
 
1.BANK NAME: BANK OF AMERICA 
2.ACCOUNT NAME: GLENDA WARD 
3.BANK ADDRESS: Kerrville Texas 78028 USA 
4.ACCOUNT #: 3202650 
5.ROUTING #: 114922443 
 
 
If you had not authorized the change of your bank account in respect to  
your outstanding entitlement Payment, therefore notify me immediately as  
the notification / declaration was supported with a sworn affidavit from  
Lagos high court ref: ilk /jj/202/k2021, dated 26/06/2021 and signed by  
Mrs. Glenda Ward who claims and stated in the sworn declaration that you  
authorized her to claim the said fund on your behalf to a different bank  
account in the U.S.A as stated above because you were terminally ill and  
the Doctor who is in charge of your case stated that you will not stay  
more than one Month before passing away. 
 
This development has caused lots of discrepancies in your payment file  
that is why we had to suspend your payment and prompted to contact you  
directly before rejuvenating your payment. You have to be rest assured  
that I will do everything within my capacity to successfully actualize  
the quick transfer of your fund to any of your nominated bank account. 
 
 
Kindly get back to me as soon as possible so that I will direct you on  
what to do. 
 
Sincerely Yours 
 
Mrs. Robin Sanders 
Fmr. U.S Ambassador 
 
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