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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS. MARY SUE DAYTON" <debra_elliott@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: mrsmarysuedayton12@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:30:15 -0800 (PST)
Subject: THIS FUND IS FOR CHARITY WORK????
My Dearest In Christ,
My name is Mrs. Mary Sue Dayton, i am 58 years old a citizen of America, but taking treatment in LOME TOGO IN AFRICA for cancer I have a project which I will want you to handle for me that involve a lot of money of about ($20Million United State Dollars) that i was about to leave in your care for charity work on trust. I will give you details as soon as you indicate your interest i will let you know on how the fund will be release to you in your country without any further delay or problem.
I will send to you the Deposit Certificate issue to me when i deposited the consignment of the fund with the security firm.
Below is the information i need from you to proceed.
(1).Your Full Name
(2).Your Home Or Office Address
(3).Your Direct Telephone Number
(4).Your Occupation
(5).Your Age
Yours Sick Sister in Christ,
Mrs. Mary Sue Dayton.
IN GOD WE TRUST:
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