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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- dorisfenendez@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Doris Fernandez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dorisfenendez@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2017 12:49:26 +0200
Subject: IN GOOD FAITH
Dear Sir/madam
My name is Mrs. Doris Fernandez I am 73 years old, I am a dying woman who have decided to donate
what I have to you/churches/ motherless babies/less privileged/widows.I was diagnosed for cancer
for about 2 years ago. I have been touched by god to donate from what I have inherited from my late
husband to you for good work of God. I have asked god to forgive me and believe he has because he
is a merciful God.
Please kindly let me know if you can assist me receive my funds and distribute to charity of your choice.
i am willing to give you 20% out of $USD20million for you help.
please reply me to my private email: dorisfenendez@aol.com
Your sister in Christ,
Mrs Doris Fernandez
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Anti-fraud resources:
