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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: Elizabeth Gideon <Kimmyshaa@gmail.com>
Reply-To: elizabeth_gideon2@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2017 12:34:54 +0100
Subject: From Mrs.Elizabeth Gideon?
I wish to establish a charity fondation to help the poor in your
country under your care, Can you help to build this project in your
country?I am willing to donate my late husband's funds to the less
privileges for the help of mankind. All i need from you is your
sincerity to use this funds to do this project as i desired to use it
for less privileged ones and orphanage homes, We are the one who will
make the world a better place when we help the needies,Let me read
from you today and know your your opinion in doing this project for
the benefit of mankind in your country,Remain blessed,Elizabeth Gideon
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Anti-fraud resources:
