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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.
- 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.
- wahl_m.charity5566@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Richard Wahl." <leesouth344445@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wahl_m.charity5566@aol.com
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2022 13:32:42 +0100
Subject: GREETING'S TO YOU.
I am Mr. Richard Wahl, The mega winner of five hundred and thirty
three million dollars. In the Mega Millions lottery Jackpot. I'm
donating to 5 random Individuals, if you get this email then your
email was selected after a spin ball. I have spread most of my wealth
over a number of charities and organizations' have voluntarily decided
to donate the sum of $5Million USD to you as one of the selected 5. To
verify my winnings please see my YouTube. page below.
WATCH ME HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tne02ExNDrw?
$533 Million Jackpot Winner Revealed: Modest Mega Millionaire Richard
Wahl Richard Wahl recently moved to New Jersey from Michigan and has
only played the lottery a few times before winning the $533 million
Mega Millions lottery jackpot.
THIS IS YOUR DONATION CODE: [ 0043034]
Reply with the DONATION CODE.
The only fee you will pay to my personal assistant to release the
money to you is $200 which will be explained to you in detail. Contact
here. wahl_m.charity5566@aol.com
Regard's
Mr. Richard Wahl.
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Anti-fraud resources: