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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 pounds" (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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found 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: "Mr Geoffrey Hughes" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.geoffreyhughes@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 08:06:11 -0700
Subject: Please read carefully and reply
Geoffrey Hughes
The Richard Stone Partnership
2 Henrietta Street
London, WC2E 8PS UK
My names are Mr. Geoffrey Hughes I write this email to you with great sorrow in my heart and heavy tears in my eyes simply because my Doctor just told me that I will die in three months time, I have been
diagnosed with LUNG cancer.
I am a successful movie star as I'm so sad that I don't want my wife or any of my family member to take care of my wealth despite my success in life expect charity home or less privilege one in our society.
As a result of this development, I would like to donate my wealth which is deposited in a financial institution to charitable organizations on trust and the fear of God.
I implore you to help me distribute this fund judiciously to charitable organizations for the saints and the needy.By doing this humble job,you will have 30% of the total sum as compensation.
While 70% of the funds should go to charitable organizations and orphanage homes around the world. The total fund to be distributed is(20 Million Pounds) and I will provide you with other information’s where
the funds are been deposited once you indicate your willingness to do this work.
You can visit this website and read about me:-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1300216/Former-Corrie-star-Geoffrey-Hughes-hospital-cancer-returns.html
You can also read about my Biography on this website:- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0400616/bio
Thanks and God bless you, I expect your urgent response ASAP.
Best Regards,
Mr. Geoffrey Hughes.
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