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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:
- "stamp duty" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: THE PRESIDENCY <ugogeorge9@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2023 20:56:30 +0100
Subject: RE: PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER
Office of the president, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Coordinator Presidential waiver committee
Sir,
*RE: PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER*
Following the declaration by President Mohammadu Buhari to grant a
presidential waiver to all out standing foreign payments beneficiaries who
were unable to meet up with their financial obligations to receive their
payments in Nigeria.
You are among those listed to benefit from this waiver. You are therefore
requested to contact this office for the issuance of the waiver certificate.
This waiver will cover you from any financial obligations to receive your
payment and authorize the immediate release of your funds without making
any UPFRONT PAYMENT to any one.
With the waiver certificate, you will not be asked to pay any money for
any document or fees but will allow the paying bank to waive all your
charges and transfer your funds to your account without any more delays.
NOTE: This will cost you just $150.00 for stamp duty and affidavit for the
issuance of the presidential waiver and that is the only money you will be
asked to pay before the waiver can be granted to you.
Your payment will be released via wire transfer from the Federal Ministry
of Finance as soon as you have the waiver.
Congratulations!!!!!
Most respectfully,
Chukwu Mark
coordinator presidential waiver committee
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
