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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:
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Andrew Thompson" <sasitorn@jaroonrat.com> (WORLD HEALTH AID)
Reply-To: info@worldcovid-aid.com
Date: 14 Jan 2022 23:29:32 -0800
Subject: ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUNDS
Attention: Beneficairy,
I am Dr Tedros Adhanom, a consultant member of the World Health
Organization Headquarters. I wish to officially inform you that
due to the global pandemic (Covid-19) which the vast spread has
affected the global world economics, therefore,the World Health
Organization (W.H.O) has authorized immediate release of
$5.500.000.00.00USD(Five Million and Five hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) to some beneficiaries as a palliative measure to
boost the failing economy and also for them to use to assist in
rendering help to the less privilege and those affected by the
pandemic as they lose their loved once. The WHO can not be
everywhere hence the release of these funds to individuals as
palliative funds for use as humanitarian services in their
various countries.
Once you have received your fund you are expected to offer
adequate palliatives to the less privileged people around your
vicinity or you can still extend a helping hand as much as you
can to save some souls.
You are advised to get back immediately with your full details
as below so it can be forwarded to the accredited bank to
commence the immediate transfer of your funds
1; Full Name
2: Country home address
3: Occupation
4: Copy of Passport
Once we receive the above information. It will be processed and
forwarded to the paying bank for setting up an online banking
account in your favor so you will be able to access the funds
which will be credited to the account as soon as it is approved
accordingly.
Congratulations !!!
Yours Faithfully,
Tedros Adhanom
Deputy Director-General
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