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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:
- "million us dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Madam Pauline Douglas <mrspauline.douglas723@gmail.com>
Reply-To: madampaulinedouglas@yahoo.com.co
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:41:24 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Peace be Upon You.
My Beloved!
Peace be Upon You.
I am glad to know you, but God knows you better and he knows why he has
directed me to you at this point in time so do not be afraid.
I am Madam Pauline, and i have been suffering from ovarian cancer
disease and the doctor says that i have just short time to leave. I am from Sierra Leone
but based in Africa Burkina Faso since eight years ago as a business woman
dealing with gold exportation.
Now that i am about to end the race like this, without any family
members and no child. I have $3 Million US DOLLARS in Africa Development Bank
(ADB) Burkina Faso which i
instructed the bank to give (St Andrews
Missionary Home) in Burkina
Faso. But my mind is not at rest because i
am writing this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed.
I also have (£4.5 Million) at United Global Security Company (UGSC) here
in Burkina Faso and i instructed the Company to release the boxes to the first
foreigner that will apply to the Company after i have gone that they should
release the boxes to him/her, but you will assure me that you will take 50% of
the money and give 50% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart to
rest with GOD.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the
Company in Burkina Faso if you can do this return back to me immediately before
death cross my way so that i will send to you a copy of MY ID card which you
will show to the Company to make the Company know that i instructed you to
contact them for the release of my fund to you, so that you can fulfil my dream
of building an orphanage home in your country. After you have contacted the
Company.
Please respond.
Yours Daying Sisther
Madam Pauline.
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