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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:
- "remain blessed" (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.
- 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.
- mrsmariama_soki@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Mariama Soki <mrsmariamasoki1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 08:13:46 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED!!
Dear,
I am. Mrs Mariama Soki from SOUTHERN SUDAN -AFRICA, I am writing to know
from you if a foreigner can invest in your country easily because I have
intention to relocate and invest my late husband's (Funds) worth $52M USD
in your Country as I can understand that your Country is very peaceful,and
my reason of relocating the business is that there are too much war,
killing and terrorism no one is safe here any more.I am waiting for your
urgent advice to enable me detail you in full over my plans on the
investment.
Remain blessed.
Mrs Mariama Soki
Please reply through my email: mrsmariama_soki@yahoo.co.uk
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Anti-fraud resources:
