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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mary Qattara <m_r_t152@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Mary Qattara <m_r_t199@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 13:44:52 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Request For Assistance.
 From: Miss Mary Qattara.
How are you and your family.
I am Miss Mary Qattara, 19 years old the only daughter to my late parents. I am writing because i need your help to transfer the money my late father deposited in a bank for me before he met his death, and i will explain more when you reply on how you can be my guardian in the management of a sum $8.5 million u.s dollars. Please I am ever ready to offer you 30% for your help.
May our Almighty God be with you.
Your sincerely
Miss Mary Qattara.
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Anti-fraud resources:
