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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin 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.
- mrs.elizabethwolfgang@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs.Elizabeth Wolfgang <angelamaxwell100@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2017 09:26:48 +0000
Subject: Re
Dear Friend
I am Mrs.Elizabeth Wolfgang, undergoing medical treatment as a result of cancer which i am admitted in Kings County Hospital Center Benin,my husband died in a car accident, We were married without no child. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $6,430,000 Million {Six Million four hundred and thirty thousand dollars} I want an individual that will use this to fund and provide succor to poor in the society since i am a cancer woman and about to die.Please reply back to me on my private email address/ mrs.elizabethwolfgang@yahoo.com
Mrs.Elizabeth Wolfgang
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Anti-fraud resources:
