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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Stephanie Adams <web.anythroste@yahoo.co.th>
Reply-To: Stephanie Adams <stephanie.adams86@yahoo.com.co>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:22:57 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Sister Stephanie Adams.
I am Sister, Stephanie Adams. suffering from Throat Cancer and i am suffering very bitterly as I am write you this message with help of sister Felicia a nurse in the hospital.
I Wished to give you this very heritage amounting the sum of FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS ( USD $5.5 million ) for Charity. My Dear the problem i have is my Cancer. According to my doctor. My condition is too critical and i might not survive from it. Please i am waiting to hear from you soon. Please also put me in prayers for God will also bless a someone like you that have faith in him.
Thanks.
Sister Stephanie Adams.
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Anti-fraud resources:
