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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: kelly <johnsonmike3600@gmail.com>
Reply-To: robertmerlin871@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2023 06:29:10 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS
--
This is Mr Robert Merlin DHL Diplomatic Agent.
I have received your Fund Consignment Box worth $14.5 million USD.
twenty million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars in my
office as it could be delivered your home address or through bank
transaction
before two young men by name WILLIAM HUGES and JOHN CAMEL came with a
sad news of your death they also claim to be your relatives As they
make enquiry to claim your Fund as it is their rightful inheritance
they told us that you gave them the permissions at the hospital bed to
claim your money before you die we couldn't hand over your money to
them untill we find out that you are dead and if they are truely your
sons please reconfirm with your information if you are still alive and
if you know these
YOUR HOME ADDRESS..........
YOUR PHONE NUMBER.........
YOUR AIRPORT ADDRESS .......
YOUR VALID ID CARD ........
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Anti-fraud resources:
