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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: Father Edmond Canara <emdcanara@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2022 08:10:49 +0100
Subject: Confirm Urgent
--
Dearest,
I pray you receive this email in good health. I am Edmond Canara 69
years Catholic Reverend Father. I have contacted you from hospital
where I am being treated for interstitial lung disease which is
incurable and the doctor has confirmed I have less than 3 months to
live. It is about $4,500,000.00 deposit fund which I have in the bank
and I want to use to help establish orphanage foundation to help less
privileged children and orphans. Let me know if you can handle the
project on my behalf with the funds? As soon as I confirm your
interest and willingness I will direct
the bank to release the deposit to you for the purpose.
Regards,
Rev. Edmond Canara
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Anti-fraud resources:
