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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:
- "god fearing " (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: "M Griffiths" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <magiegriffithsss@outlook.hu>
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2014 13:36:59 -0700
Subject: PLEDGE
helo dear,
my name is Mrs. Maggie Griffiths, a nationality of Sud Africain. i have been diagnosed of advanced cervical cancer. my doctor now informed me my illness has defiles all forms of medical treatment and that i have fee weeks to live. i have US$18.5million wealth i vow to God almighty that i will donate and distribute them to charities organization for humanitarian cause before i die.
After reviewing your profile, i have prayed seriously and God almighty directed me to contact you and release those money to you to assist me to executive my humanitarian vow and desire to propagate the Faith of God in this world by reaching out to the poor, downtrodden, natural disasters victims etc.
If you accept to assist me please send your reply for more information.
pls don't be late in reply. God bless you
yours true God fearing
mrs Maggie Griffiths
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Anti-fraud resources:
