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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- volkanruslan00@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Ruslan Volkan <hasanosmanconsultant@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2022 09:37:13 -0800
Subject: Re: Urgent Reply
Greetings and best Regards,
My name is Ruslan Volkan. I am 25 years old and I am writing to you from
Ivory coast.
My parents were killed by the rebels during the war here but before the
death of my Father,He deposited the sum of 10.5 Million dollars with a bank
in Turkey where he was working before his death.
I want you to help me and secure my inheritance funds for your country as
my wish is to come over to your country and Invest part of this money and
also start a new life there,please help me.
Reply here email:volkanruslan00@gmail.com
Ruslan Volkan
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Anti-fraud resources:
