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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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "rina.patel@qq.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Rina Patel <emuller@hcdn.gob.ar>
Reply-To: Rina Patel <rina.patel@qq.com>
Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 17:52:40 -0300 (ART)
Subject: Kindly Assist*
My name is Rina Patel from Japan, I was married to LateSir Patel an English Man from the United Kingdom who was an oil explorerin Libya and Kuwait for twelve years before he died in the year 2010.I am an E.C. patient without any child and presently hospitalized.I was abandonedby relatives. my doctor says I have few days to live and I desire tostay within the confinement of my hospital room and live out my lastdays on earth quietly. I asked that my hospital room be equipped witha laptop for me to take care of some outstanding issues.One of whichis my desire to donate an amount of money(Two Million Pounds) to cancerresearch institutes and other charity organizations.I decided to comeonline and find some one remotely afar who can receive the funds fromwhere it has been deposited and disburse the money to cancer researchinstitutes and other deserving charity organizations. 25% can go foryour personal needs for your time taken from your busy schedule to workwith me on this sole act of charity. Indicate your wiliness to assist bysending an email to my private email box (rina.patel@qq.com)My barrister will contact you immediately as he will be informed.The Holy Spirit led me to do it this way. Please be prayerful all through yourlife. Until I hear from you my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.Kind Regards,Rina Patel
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Anti-fraud resources:
