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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Mary Saleh Saville" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <willmok@rocketmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:30:09 +0100
Subject: DONATION FOR CHARITY
Hello,
I am Mrs. Mary I. Saleh an ageing widow suffering from long time illness. I have some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of US$3,500,000.00 and I am in need of a very honest and
God fearing person that will use the fund for God's work to help the less privileged out there.
I have mapped out$1,200.000.00 for your personal use in this work. While the rest will be for the work. Please if you would be able to use the funds for the Lord's work kindly reply for further details.
Your full name:
Your full address:
Your telephone/mobile number:
Your fax Number:
Your full company name:
Your age:
Thanks and God bless.
Mrs. Mary Saleh Saville
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Anti-fraud resources:
