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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 dollars" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Louise Hubert" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrslouisehubert@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 16:29:33 -0000
Subject: Greetings My Beloved
Greetings My Beloved,
I am Mrs Louise Hubert from France I am 53 years old base in Cote d' Ivoire I write to relate to you of my intention to use my money 2.5 million dollars for charity work in your country.
I was married to Late Eduard Hubert who was a contractor with the Government of Cote d'Ivoire before he died after few days in the hospital.
I have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and my doctor says that I have just few days to leave. I do not want the bank/corrupt government to have my money if I don't make succeed the operation, my health is in God.
Your full name:
Your home or office addresses:
Your direct tel & fax :
If you could faithfully help and use my money to care for the poor and less privilege, reply me soon, for more details on my intention.
Thanks and God bless you.
Mrs Louise Hubert.
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Anti-fraud resources:
