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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:
- "million 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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- avaolivia739@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Miss.Ava Olivia" <tinaboniface92@gmail.com>
Reply-To: avaolivia739@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2022 01:03:19 -0800
Subject: Attention Beneficiary:
Attention please,
I just received an email from Miss.Ava Olivia the Director Of NEW
IDEAS COURIER SERVICE that the ATM CARD valued the sum of ($2.5
Million Dollars) which was sent to you as COVID-19 relief fund was
returned back due to wrong address provided, They need the
reconfirmation of the below details:
Your Full Name:
Your Address:
Your Country
Your Occupation
Your Phone Number:
Your ID:
Contact them with the following information immediately:
Contact Person: Miss.Ava Olivia
Email: avaolivia739@yahoo.com
Phone: +13852063438
Thanks and have a nice day.
Best Regards
Mr. Antonio Guterres
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Anti-fraud resources:
