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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Joan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rigouris@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:42:21 -0700
Subject: Hear my cry and reply me
Hello My Dear Friend,
My Name is Mrs Joan Rigouris i am 47 years old from germany and a wife to the late Mr Samson Rigouris who was from california in Usa,I am presently in germany receiving treatments for my long time cancer of the breast.The intention of this letter is to seek for your attention and help inrespect of my funds lying in a security company in usa after my doctors told me that my sickness has got to a stage where it can no longer make me breath this is as a result of the fact that my cancer was not treated in time and has gotten to a very bad stage where it can no longer be treated to the extent of keeping me alive.
My loving husband left me the time i need him most in a car crash accident and indeed we were very wealthy and notured a good christian home though we did not have children we didn't blame each other for that beacause it is the way nature wants it,i inherited all my late husband's wealth and buisness and before time crucial time of my sickness i have been trusting people who careless about me and my intentions people who stole from me in the name of sharing this funds to my desired places like the motherless baby homes,orphange homes etc i never knew that your best friend could be your worst enemy ,they took advantage of my goodwill and good intentions to help the poor and the motherless homes through the acquisited wealth of my late husband.
This is might not sound right to you or it might sound very weird to you but my dear friend i seek for your assistance to accomplish my heart desires for the poor my helping me receive the last funds of my husband wealth which was willed to me that is currently in a security company as i can no longer trust me arround me .The said amount with the security company is (Two million eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars) and i want you to apply on my behalf to security company for the immediate release of this funds to you at my own expenditure without having you spend any money.I beg of you to help me complete my heart desires but if you can't do this for me i will understand and accept my faith or probably have the security company confiscate the funds as i can't trust people arround me who are inconsiderate but it will be very painful after reading this message and you decide not to help a poor widow carry out her last wish on earth.
My Dear if my story touches you,please reply me and i will email you the details of the firm where the funds are so you can contact for the release of the funds to you.
Remain Blessed
Mrs Joan Rigouris
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