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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:
- "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: hajia <yhajia@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: hajiaj@y7mail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:26:28 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Assalam
Assalam,
I do recognised the surprise this letter will bring to you, most especially as it comes from a stranger. I am Hajia Kudirat Yunis Jabir. We are from Republic of Libya. I am married to Major General Abu Bark Yunis Jabir, Libya Defence Minister, He was killed by NATO forces.
We were married for years without a child. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the holly Quaran is against that. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of (£ 1 Million Pounds.)in London Presently, the fund is still with them recently my Doctor told me that I have serious sickness which is cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.
Because of my condition I decided to donate this fund to an institution or individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. I want individual or institution that will use this fund for orphanages home and school, the holly Quaran made us to understand that blessed is the hand that gives.
As stated in the holly Quaran (Surah xxxvi Yasin) Thou wariest only him who followeth the reminder and fearieth the beneficent in secret to him bear tiding of forgives and a rich reward. I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank in London.
I want you to always pray for me because the mighty Allah is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy parson. Whoever that wants to serve the mighty Allah must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
I await your urgent response.
Regards.
Hajia Kudirat Yunis Jabir
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