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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 beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "00,000.00" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Sarah Smith (Lord)" <drdavidige07@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sarahsmith1957@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2017 18:51:26 +0100
Subject: Dear beloved Please Acknowledge this mail...
--
Dear beloved,
My name is Mrs. Sarah Smith an American citizen but married to late
Paul Smith, I am 59 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer for about
2 years ago. Am sorry to contact you in this manner but please bear in
mind that I find your contact in international directories with World
Health Organization. I will be going in for an operation later today
and my doctor told me that I may or may not survive it . I decided to
WILL/DONATE the sum $15,400,000.00 USD (Fifteen Millions Four Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars) which my late husband deposited here
UK to you for the good work of the Lord.
When I hear from you,I will give you the contact of our family lawyer
who will work with you to achieve this aim.
Be informed also that the lawyer is going to represent you through out
till the funds gets to you.
Mean while you are advised to keep this mail and it contents
confidential as I really want my wish accomplish at the end of the
day. Please do pray to God for my recovery.
God Bless you.
Regards,
Mrs.Sarah Smith
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Anti-fraud resources:
