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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Pastor <gregwilliams90@att.net>
Reply-To: greg_williams@live.com
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 03:54:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Greetings.
Blessing Church of Christ
2945 Blessing Road
Albertville, AL 35951.
Beloved in Christ,
I am Pastor Greg Williams and I got your contact on my personal search of the person I want to will my money to. Please I willed the sum of ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS to you,that is the only money left in my account right now.
Please if you really want to know why I have willed this money to you and you want this money to be transferred to you please contact me immediately with your full details to know why i am willing you the money.
Right now I am in the hospital emailing you. I will be glad to hear from you as to know my reasons,it is from my heart.
Thank you for your understanding.
God Bless you.
Pastor Greg Williams.
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Anti-fraud resources:
