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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cashier's check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)" <addminfile0@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
Your Attention. Please?
Your compensation file worth $10.500,000.00 USD was retrieved and you are
entitled to receive the funds via Cashier's Check therefore send your
full details to Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield United States Ambassador to the
United Nations
1 Full Name---
2 Residence Address---
3 Phone Number---
4 Sex/ age
Send your details to Ms. Linda email: redacted@domain.name
Please remember you where to pay $50 USD fee been agreed with USPS for
there delivery service
Attorney Volker Türk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Address: Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
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Anti-fraud resources:
