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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Caroline Kowan <carolinekowan@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2019 04:49:29 +0900
Subject: Greetings
Greetings to you,
I am Mrs Caroline Kowan a widow suffering from long time illness.I
have some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of
($3.5Million Dollars) And I needed a very honest and sincere
Individual or cooperate organization that will use the fund for work
of humanity,
I want you to take 30% of the total money for your personal use While
70% of the money will go to charity" people in the street and helping
the orphanage. I grow up as an Orphan and I don't have anybody as my
family member, just to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.
Am doing this so that God will forgive my sins and accept my soul
because these sicknesses have suffered me so much. My late Husband
made me to understand that Is good to remember the orphanage home the
widows and the poor in need.
Best regards,
Mrs Caroline Kowan
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Anti-fraud resources:
