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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:
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "Mrs. Florent Kawanah" <flkawanah@bol.com.br>
Reply-To: flkawanah1@bol.com.br
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:56:28 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Greetings dear "
Hello dear,
I am Mrs. Florent Kawanah an aging widow from Sierra-Leone suffering from (Neck Cancer). I lived in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire
here with my 17 years old son Evra and my husband Dr. Jerry Kawanah before his death. My late husband was an importer
before his death. He imports Factory Machine and Cattle Medicine (VACCINE).etc.
I inherited this sum US$7.5Millions Dollars from my late husband and I am contacting you asking for your trust and honest
co-operation to assist me receive this fund in your account in your country and use it as I directed you here below.
1. 30% for the well-being of the poor in your country or elsewhere in the world.
2. 45% you will invest for Evra and assist him come over to your country to further his education.
3. 20% for you and another 5% for you to cover any expenses which you may incur in this transaction
If you are interested, please reply immediately by providing me with your information to enable me gives you more detail.
Any delays in your replying earlier will give me room to look for another person.
Thanks From your beloved sister,
Mrs. Florent Kawanah and son Evra.
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Anti-fraud resources:
