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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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. )
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- tw556277@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tw3238224@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 16:58:00 +0700
Subject: Use This Fund For.....
Dear Sir/madam
My name is Mrs.Tracy Williams I am 63 years old, I am a dying
woman who have decided to donate this money to a reliable
individual that will use this US$10.5M[Ten Million,
Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar] to build orphanage
home,help the poor and less privilege.
I was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago.
my Doctor told me recently that I do not have up to 2 Months to
live,because of the complications with the cancer problem.
I am in the Hospital now and will be in for an operation by next
week as I believe that God is merciful and can extend my stay
to make sure I fulfil my heart desire by helping the less priviledge ones.
The above mentioned Fund was deposited in a Security Company by
my Late Husband who was a successful Oil Marchant.
We were married for 25 years without a Child.
I do believe you will not disappoint me in using this money to
help the poor in your country.
I am taking this decision because I do not have any child that
will inherit this money.
I have adjusted my WILL and my lawyer is aware,So if you are
willing to accept this Fund and do exactly as I have instructed,
get back to me and I shall:
Give you the contacts of my Lawyer and also send to you the related
Documents to make the claims of the Fund with the help of my
Lawyer.
I will also let you know about how much out of the Fund you will be compensated with
for your assistance.
I am waiting for your reply.
Mrs.Tracy Williams
tw556277@gmail.com
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