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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:
- "dear friend" (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: Joy <joybbest@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: joybbest42@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:57:40 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Awaits Your Honest Response !
Hello My Dear Friend,
I came across your contact,My heart told me to contact you for friendship, A friend who truly understand his or her friend and share their feelings together.I believe that distance can never be a barrier but let's love connect us because love is a bridge that connected far distance to be close.
"The road may be very long and rough... but it becomes shorter and easier to tread upon, when there is love and support of good friends.And that is reasons one needs good friend who can advice and care for. I will send my pictures to you immediately i receive your reply.
yours In Love,
Miss Joy
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Anti-fraud resources:
