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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- bondhanna121@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dear Sir/Madam," (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bondhanna121@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:15:40 +0800
Subject: Beloved Friend,
Beloved Friend,
I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears In my eyes and great sorrow
in my heart because my Doctor told me that I will die less than a month
time. Based on this development I want to will money which my late husband
fixed in a bank for the future. I meant to use the money to setup a
foundation but my health will not let me do anything again. I am in search
of a reliable person who will use the Money to build charity organization
for the orphans andcancer research and the person will take 30% of the
total sum. While 70% of the money will go to charity organization and
helping the orphanage. I grew up as an Orphan here In Sarawak Malaysia and
i don't have anybody/family member to take care of my wealth. People I
called my friend betrayed me and squandered what is left of my wealth , so
I have no other choice than to do what I am doing now . I will provide you
with all the information once you indicate your willingness by
corresponding back to my email: bondhanna121@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you for your time
Yours sincerely.
Ms Bonda Hanna
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Anti-fraud resources:
