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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Vera R" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <verarobert315@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 21:28:52 -0500
Subject: Help
Hi
I have an important issue I will like to share with you concerning my inheritance which my late father left before his death. He had a domiciliary account in my country which has large amount of money. My name Is Vera,i am 18 years from Accra am presently in a church guest house because of wickedness of my uncles and relatives. Your help is needed for me to continue my education and have a better life.I shall forward to you with the necessary documents on confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the immediate release of the money to you. I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you, if you so desire, but i do urge you to give the matter your immediate attention it deserves if this proposal is acceptable by you, please do not make undue advantage of the trust i bestow on you, and your urgent reply is highly needed today. I am willing to offer you reasonable percentage from the total money as compensation for your effort. May God touch your heart
and use you to bring back happine
Thank you for your understanding
Vera
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Anti-fraud resources:
