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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mrs.maria_williams@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS.MARIA WILLIAMS" <mrs.mariawilliams2013@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:41:27 +0100
Subject: -- I Mrs.Maria Williams need your Urgent Help
Dear
I am Mrs. Maria Williams from Benin ,undergoing medical treatment at Cancer
Care word.My husband died in a car accident a year ago living me and my 11
years old child and before the death of my husband,he deposited 15.500.000
US Dollars with a security company.Now my condition is getting worst,i need
your urgent help to secure these money that was deposited with a security
company and and my child future,help me.
Please reply me back through my email address/
mrs.maria_williams@yahoo.com,if you are interested to help me.
CONTACT THEM WITH YOUR FULL INFORMATION.
Country......
Phone no.......
Country.....
Occupation....
Age.....
Sex.........
Mrs.Maria Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
