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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "stay blessed" (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.
- 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.
- emilia_ray02@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Emilia Ray <emilia_ray02@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 10:42:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: greeting from miss Emilia
Hello Dear
How are you today i hope that everything is fine with you as it is my
great pleasure to reach you for communication. I saw your contact email
while making some research for reliable foreigner at (WEB) and i think
we can click and become Pen Pal friends.
Despite that we have not seen in person. I Hope we can make a good
friendship, because the best place to be is by the side of a good
friend. I believe that friendship is a gift that is fair in all things.
It roots from one's heart and involves memories that stay not for a
while but for a lifetime. " My heart welcomes you".
I will be very happy if you should write me back through my email in
(Emilia_ray02@yahoo.com) for easy communication and to know all about
each other, I will send you my pictures and more details about me,
(Remember the distance,color or age does not matter but our good heart
and sincerity matters in life). I will be waiting to hear from you i
wish you all the best for your day. Always stay blessed from my deepest
heart.
Yours Affectionately,
Emilia.
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Anti-fraud resources:
