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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Nancy Chylla" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <billbrown19822@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:13:05 +0200
Subject: RE... BREAKING NEWS
I am Mrs. Nancy Chylla
Good day,
I am Mrs. Nancy Chylla , Auditor Control Unit Citibank Groups USA I have emailed you earlier on without any response from you.
I am among the Advisory Panel that was mandated to by external and internal audit control systems of my Bank Citibank Groups USA
Hence I have decided to contact you to stand as the beneficiary to the deceased customer who recently died In Turkey Earthquake Crisis to enable us receive his deposit inheritance funds for investment amounted to US$39Million only
In my first email I mentioned my late client whose relatives I cannot get in touch confirmed died in the Turkey Earthquake Crisis . But both of you have the same last name so it will be very easy to enable me to present you as his official appointed Beneficiary
Meanwhile I assured and Guarantee you that I will send you all the necessary Back up Documents on your name without any problem and make sure this funds is been released to you successfully within 7 working days upon your cooperation today
I am compelled to do this because I would not want the Finance Department to
push my clients funds into their Treasury as unclaimed inheritance.
Note that you are to furnishing me with the requested information below immediately;
(1)Full names.
(2)Contact address.
(3)Telephone and fax numbers.
(4)Location.
If you are interested you do let me know so that I can give you Comprehensive
details on what we are to do. Waiting for your response.
Many Thanks,
Mrs. Nancy Chylla
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Anti-fraud resources:
