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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs marina Wenzel" <mrsmarinawenzel@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:47:18 -0700
Subject: Marina Wenzel
Marina Wenzel
My name is Mrs .Marina Wenzel
in search for a reliable/honest person who could be of help . I am 39 years old & I was diagnosed of cancer 3 years ago . I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to you for the good work of God I decided to donate the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars (U.S.$ 3.500,000.00) to you for the good work of the lord , & also to help the motherless and less privileged . I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by unbelievers . I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner. Hence the reason for taking this bold decision . I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going . I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord .Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace. am waiting to hear your favourable answer.
Hoping to hearing from you .
Remain blessed in the name of the Lord .
Yours in Christ .
Mrs .Marina Wenzel
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Anti-fraud resources:
