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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:
- "demurrages " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "dorismartins101@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Doris Martins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dorismartins101@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2018 11:06:00 -0700
Subject: URGENT AND IMPORTANT..
Dear Sir/Ma
I came across your e-mail contact prior a private search while in need of your assistance. My name is Doris Martins Doris Martins the wife of late Mr. Francis Martins who was murdered by an agent of the ruling government of President Robert Mugabe.
This land problem arose when the President Introduced a new Land Act that wholly affected the rich white farmers but some few blacks vehemently condemned the Modus adopted by the government which resulted in rampant killing and mob actions. My husband was among the few richest black Zimbabwean farmers and during his initial period of explosive farm growth he took me to South Africa to deposit large amount of money in Savannah Security/Finance Company and declared the contents as family treasure because he knew the looming danger in Zimbabwe.
This money was deposited as Gem/Precious Stones in order to avoid much demurrages and it was earmarked for the purchase of machinery and chemicals for our farms and also for the establishment of new farm in Switzerland and Lesotho.
Since the death of my husband, I and my only son are currently staying in Refugees/Asylum Center here in united kingdom for security purpose and we have been unfortunate to find ourselves caught up in a very difficult situation because the united kingdom governments are not really taking very good care of us. Nevertheless, I am about to entrust the destiny of my family on your shoulder if you would help us and it will be of immense benefit to you. I would like you to help me withdraw the entire money which my late husband deposited in the security firm here in South Africa so I could start a new life here or outta country.
personality also because the immigration law over here does not allow refugee seekers to open or operate bank account and that is why I need your assistance. So if you are willing to help me, please kindly reply my email through my personal email address: dorismartins101@outlook.com
Thanks in anticipation and God bless you.
Doris Martins
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