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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:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Paul smith <nelsondanelwatidi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrpaulsmith807@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 05:17:40 -0700
Subject: ATTENTION BENEFICIARY
Hello My name is Mr. Paul Smith From International Monetary fund. I am
here to inform you that this will be the last chance to you before you
made a very big mistake in your life I want to let you know that those
people your dealing transaction with is wrong offices that's the
reason why you haven't received anything from them some are claiming
to be me while they are not that's why I'm here to solve everything
and then you can receive your packages as fast as possible. Right now
I want to handle the delivery I want you to contact me immediately
with your full information such as
your full name..........
your home address......
your phone number........
your country/city.....................
your email address.....................
so that we can conclude every necessary arrangements on how to deliver
this package peacefully, I will be waiting to hear from you and by the
special grace of God with my concept you must have your belongings
safely with no hindrance again looking forward to read from you..
Best Regards
Mr. Paul Smith
Director department of finance
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Anti-fraud resources:
