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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "mrssruthketie@outlook.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.
Fraud email example:
From: Ruth Ketie <mrs.ruthketie@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 06:58:51 +0100
Subject: True heart
My Dearest in Christ
I greet you, This is the second time i am
contacting you with regards to the charity work. I am Mrs. Ruth Ketie an
aging widow suffering from longtime illness called Stroke Cancer. I am
currently admitted in a hospital here in Koumassi Cote D'Ivoire.
I
have some funds i inherited from my late husband Late Mr. Bernard
Ketie, the sum of US$14.7Million which he deposited in one of a Bank
here and I need a very honest and God fearing man that can use this
funds for God's work and purpose, 15% out of the total funds will be for
your compensation for doing this work of God. I found your email
address and i decided to contact you. Please if you would be able to use
these funds for the purpose and God's work kindly reply me back on my
private email, ( mrssruthketie@outlook.com ).
Yours Sister.
Mrs. Ruth Ketie.
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Anti-fraud resources:
