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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 us 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: "Miss Stella makasin" <stellamakasin@ok.net>
Reply-To: makasin01@nokiamail.com
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 23:46:02 -0000 (GMT)
Subject: Donation
Donation
My dear in Christ Jesus,
My name is Mrs.Stella Makasin from Texas USA. I lived in Africa for many
years and
now currently hospitalized in a private hospital here in Texas as a result
of brain
cancer.
My purpose of writing you is because I was led by the spirit of God to
offer you the
money that I have in my private account in Africa now that is clear that I’m
approaching the last days of my life.
I’m 86 year old and may not even need the money again for any thing. I’m
offering
you the sum of $2.5 million us dollars as a donation for the work of God and
charity.May the good Lord bless you for the work you are doing already and
may he
give you wisdom to continue it.
When I hear from you, I will direct you on how to receive the money.Please
pray that
God will accept my soul even if I die today.
Mrs.Stella Makasin
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Anti-fraud resources:
