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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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "gadmary@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms Mary Benson." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gadmary@live.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:25:28 -1200
Subject: from Ms Mary Benson Awaiting For your reply
Dearest ,
My name is Mary Benson. I am 21 years old the daughter of late Mr Gad Benson. who unstill his death
the president Cocoa Management Board in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. After his death I was called upon by the
Finacial Security Company Ghana which my father operated to secure his account as the only surviving child.
So I ask for your assistance in the transferring of this fund. I have all the necessary documents and l will give
you 20 percent of the total funds after the transfer . I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord.
Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my battle and I shall hold my peace".
please contact me immediately with the above email address (gadmary@live.com) Remain blessed in the
Lord.Yours in Christ,
Ms Mary Benson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
