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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:
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- acgen234@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: South Africa Reserve Bank <sarbafrika123@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2022 04:20:36 +0100
Subject: payment alert
Sir,
Be reliably informed that the Republic of South Africa and Federal
Government of Nigeria in conjunction with the United Nations and the
European Union and the South Africa Government has approved the sum
of $10.5m to you as a scam victim to compensate you so you should
quickly update us with your banking details for the payment or you
send your address and telephone number for the fund to be paid to you
in the form of visa master card. We will be waiting for your timely
response in this regard.
Thank you,
Mr.E L Kganyago
Executive Governor​​​
Federal Reserve Paying Centre
Email ( acgen234@hotmail.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
