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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)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "god-fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Dora Cheong" <richokins2015643@gmail.com>
Reply-To: cmrsdora01@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:57:59 +0100
Subject: The Widow
Dear Friend
Greetings to you and your family in the name of God. My name is Mrs.
Dora Cheong a widow from United States Married to late Mr. Joseph
Cheong,I am in a hospital at the moment undergoing treatment for
Esophagi Cancer in Spain, My late husband worked with United States
embassy in Turkey and we were married for many years without any child
before his death. I found your profile and I decided to contact you.
Based on this my present health condition I have decided to donate 4.5
Million Dollars for the Less Privileged orphanage/motherless babies
before I die due to advise according to my late Husband in my last
dream.Beloved I wish to see this project completed and 40% will be
set-aside for your humble Assistance and 60% will be for the project.
I sincerely believe you are a GOD-fearing person who can help me out
and maintain my last wishes without betray. Because I grew up as an
Orphan and I don't have anybody as my family member. As soon as I
receive your reply I shall link you up with the bank. so that I can
give you the legal deposit certificate with the information to contact
the bank where the money is been deposited. I will stop here until I
hear from you.Always pray for my health.May God bless you In Jesus
name Amen!!
Regards.
Mrs. Dora
The Widow
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Anti-fraud resources:
