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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:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
- maryphillips20151@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. Mary Phillips." <maryphillips20151@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 07:40:31 -0800
Subject: Do Please Accomplish The Wishes of a dying woman.
Dear Beloved,
In the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ you are anointed
and blessed. Walk in the path of righteousness and goodness
and mercy shall forever follow you all the days of your
life. May the peace of the Lord be with you? My name is Rev
Mother Mary Phillips; I am 69 years old now. I have been
suffering on the sick bed for the past 5 years. Now I have a
larges funds which I have deposited with a bank in Europe
which should be used for charity purpose.
If you are interested in the disbursement of my charity
funds, do contact me via my private email as follows :
maryphillips20151@rediffmail.com as I can instruct you on
what next to do.
Thank you and Remain blessed in the Lord.
Rev. Mary Phillips.
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Anti-fraud resources:
