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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:
- "death certificate" (this phrase is often used in inheritance scams such as next of kin or https://www.419scam.org/419-murdered-businessman.htm">orphan scams. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Olivia William <william01.olivia@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:29:55 +0000
Subject: HELLO
Dearest
My name is Olivia William, I would like to inquire about your services to
be my foreign partner/investor and help me transfer and manage my
funds by investing in profitable ventures such as buying company shares or
Properties in your country. I have a reasonable amount that I inherited from
my late father, as I would like you to help me invest in your country.
I am attaching my personal photos, proof of payment of the fund, my
international
passport, my late father's death certificate and a four page will from my
then dad. I send you all this so that you can trust it
you are dealing with a real person
Note: Below are the main reasons I am contacting you.
(1) To provide a new empty bank account in which these funds would reside
transferred. if you do not want us to use your personal account.
(2) Acting as custodian of this fund because the bank insisted that their
agreement with my father was that I get a foreign partner first
release the fund.
(3) To make arrangements for me to come over to your country to promote mine
education and to obtain a residence permit in your country.
Please reply as soon as you have read this message for more information and
evidence.
Sincerely.
Olivia Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
