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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:
- "million us 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)
- ",000,000" (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: Anthony Brooks <anthonybrooksnatwest1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2022 14:57:48 +0100
Subject: KINDLY RESPOND.
Hello sir
Sequel to the counter claim on your fund file containing the sum of
Thirthy Million US Dollars (US$30,000,000.00) which violated the rule
and ethics of the International Financial Institutions. You are
mandated to confirm if Mrs. Sarah Johnson is your prefered next of kin
to claim the said fund, she informed us you had an accident and lost
your life.
Your response with the following details will confirm you are alive
and did not authorize Mrs Sarah Johnson to claim your funds.
Your full names
Address
Telephone number
Nationality
Occupation
With the above details, your payment file will be reconciled for your
fund release.
Please note that the European Union and the Asian Union agreed to
handle this and put a successful end to your over due Covid- 19
Allocation fund.
We hope to hear from you asap.
Mr. Anthony Brooks
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Anti-fraud resources: