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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:
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Marilyn Graham" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hann_gadd@tlen.pl>
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2016 21:19:15 -0700
Subject: Take note and reply soon
Dear One,
With all sincerity and humility that I write you this mail
I am undergoing medical treatment for cancer of the breast.
From all indication my conditions is really deteriorating and it
is quite obvious that I may not live up to the next four months.
I was married to my late husband for twenty years without a child.
my husband died in a fatal motor accident. Since his death I
decided not to re marry.
I have a deposit of Seven Million United States Dollars (US$7,000,000)
in a bank which I have decided to give to charities.
It is my wish to see that this money is invested.The proceeds of the
investment shall be shared between you and any charity cause of your
choice
I will send you full details as soon as I receive your reply,
Mrs. Marilyn Graham
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Anti-fraud resources:
