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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Carlos Slim Helu <fbi.andfundscrime@gmail.com>
Reply-To: carloslimhellu@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2021 00:59:20 -0700
Subject: Hello
Hello,
I am Carlos S. Helu, Mexican business magnate, Investor, Engineer, and a
philanthropist. Chairman and CEO Carlos Slim Helu Foundation.
I and my wife Roselia is donating the sum of $35 Million USD to enable you
carry out charity works in your community.
My charity foundations is one of the largest private charity home in the
world and have decided to donate the Sum of $35 Million USD to help the poor
in your community. I had one idea that never changed in my mind that
you should use your wealth to help people.
I believe strongly in giving while living. You are one of the lucky
individual as you been selected.
Thanks
Carlos Slim Helu.
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Anti-fraud resources:
