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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 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.
- william_erin1@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Erin Zammett <erin_zammett1970@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:35:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR GOD
. DEAREST IN CHRIST
PLEASE ENDEAVOUR TO USE IT FOR
GOD
My name is Mrs Erin William from Emerican.
My
decision to contact you today is because I got your email id from
your country's Christian guest book I' m touched in my heart to know
you ,when I was sharing my opinion about my heart desire. I am in the hospital due to my cancer and
my doctor told me that i will die in less than three months time so as
the treatments is going on am looking for a friend who can take up my
charity project that I have be wanting to start but at this moment I
cannot do it since I have a severe case of Esophagus concerti would like
to leave my life savings for a humanitarian organization or an
individual who s'
willing to come up with a charity organization to cater for the less
fortunes kids and orphans who have lost their parents due to natural
causes and the person will take 30 percent of my funds for their effort
and 70 will be used for the project. I grew up as an orphan and i don,t
have family member or friend to trust to take care of this project. I
will provide you with detailed information once you indicate your
willingness. Please if you are not serious minded and cannot handle a
project forget about contacting me I' want a responsible fellow to do
this job, Contact me with this my private email adderss
(william_erin1@yahoo.com)
Yours in Christ.
Mrs Erin William,,
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Anti-fraud resources:
