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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: BMW Dealership <warrenebuffett0@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bmwcompany081@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2022 07:05:12 -0700
Subject: BMW Dealership
BMW Dealership
I am Troy Miller The BMW Delivery Agent and am written to inform you
about your BMW winning fund that brought by the United Embassy from
the government
of USA in the white house Washington DC The 2 BMW X6 cars and a check
of $12, million dollars Have Been Mandated
to be deliver to your address as soon as you get back to me with The
Following Details
Your current home address……?
Your full name…………………?
Occupation...................?
PHONE NUMBER................?
Next of kin................?
You need to contacts me with your full information.
Thank you as I'm waiting for your reply
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Anti-fraud resources:
