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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 united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "calvary greetings" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Emilie Jeffry <linda_2007david@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Mrs Emilie Jeffry <emiliejeffry@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 19:05:50 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Calvary Greetings
Calvary Greetings
I have Important Reasons To request your Attention. I wish to contact you to help me Accomplish my wish on earth in humanitarian charity service. Given my current state of health, I have decided to donate what i inherited from my late husband to you to help the poor and needy.
I am Mrs Emilie Jeffry.L.David I was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago and i have few months to live according to medical experts. I do not have a child for my late husband who will inherit this Six million united state dollars if i don't survive my cancer illness.
hope to hear from you please contact me with your contact information like your
Full name:......................................................
Office / home address:.....................................
Your phone number:................................
Present Occupation: ...........
Best Regard
Mrs Emilie Jeffry.L.David
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Anti-fraud resources:
