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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.zenaib Ayesha Ali" <info@strongmailvault.com>
Reply-To: ayeshali637@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:39:09 +0000
Subject: Addressed personally to you
--
Dear friend,
I am indeed glad to be in contact with you even though this medium of
communication (internet) has been grossly abused by criminal minded
people making it difficult.for people with genuine intention struggle
to correspond and exchange views without skepticism. I got your
contact from a Directory Hence i contact you.
My name is Mrs Zenaib Ali . i am from Libya and currently lives in
united kingdom. i owned 2 businesses in Dubai left for me by my late
husband Raheem Ali.we have three children. My Husband died in a car
accident six years ago.
Presently, i am receiving treatment in on the hospitals here in United
kingdom. My doctor told me that i have cancer of the lungs and that I
have few months to live.
Before i became ill, I saved some money (10.5 million dollars) ten
million five hundred thousand dollars with a security company. Please,
I beg you in the name of God to help me collect this money from the
security company.
You will get 35% of the total sum for your assistance and keep 50% for
my kids,5% will be used for any expenses that mighty inccure in the
cause of this transaction.very important give the remaining 10% to
orphanage home preferably in Dubai one orphanage home where i first
met my lovely husband or any orphanage home close to you..I am
believing that you would offer this service for humanity sake. if you
can help me. Mail me so that i will give you details on how to
receive the funds.
May the good God bless you and your family.
I await your response.
Regards.
Mrs Zenaib Ali
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