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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- drhelengalloway@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Helen galloway" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <helen_galloway@LIVE.COM>
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2018 19:59:37 -0700
Subject: very urgent
Hello My Dear Friend...
I sincerely apologize for intruding into your privacy, especially by contacting you through these means for a business proposal of this magnitude. I am Dr Helen Galloway,a medical doctor currently serving on a special peacekeeping Mission in Syria.. I have summed up courage to contact you, i know that this may sound kind of strange to you.
I am seeking for your kind assistance to help me receive The total amount is US$ 25 Million dollars in cash. and 500kg of gold, as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here In the next three months.
The question is can I '' REALLY'' trust IN you? Am really in need of a good partner someone i can trust to actualize this venture. The money is from oil proceeds giving to me by one of the top Syrian government officals here in SYRIA and IT'S legal. But am transferring it via the safe passage way of a diplomatic courier without any risk or any string attached. If you are agreeable contact me with a valid means of identification VIA my email address:(drhelengalloway@hotmail.com)..this is so that i can have full trust in you that once the funds get to you, you would not do anything funny!!!!
Once you receive this money and gold, please try and keep a very low social profile and take an awesome reward of 40% and custody my share for further evaluation on whether you are good enough in assessment to invest my share when i review your business proposal. Am seek your confidentiality in this business transaction and await your response as i wish to furnish you with more comprehensive details and what is required of you.
Beloved
Dr Helen Galloway
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