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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.
- 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.
- james.koman@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Ken Edward <nwankwocynthiaifesinachi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kenedward411@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2022 06:59:31 -0700
Subject: Dear Beneficiary
I am happy to inform you that all the necessary arrangements have
been finalized and
your approved fund valued at $4 Million has been channeled to
Citibank New York USA, where
it will be finally released to your account by next week.
You are hereby advised to contact Dr. James Koman, Special Agent
Bureau of Justice.
International Fund investigation department, USA through this email
address below
(james.koman@aol.com)
Tell him that you are instructed to contact him by Mr. Ken Edward from
United Nations Foundation for the release of your approved compensation
fund.
Do this as soon as you receive this message for more information on
approval and your
payment next week.
Always update me to know when you have confirmed your payment.
Mr. Ken Edward
United Nations Approved Grant Release section
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Anti-fraud resources:
