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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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "calvary greetings" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Elizabeth Edward" <elizabethedward765@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2022 02:46:32 -0800
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE PLEASE
Greeting
Calvary Greetings in the name of the LORD Almighty and our LORD JESUS
CHRIST the giver of every good thing. I know this letter will definitely
come to you as a huge surprise, but I implore you to take the time to go
through it carefully as the decision you make will go a long way to
determine my future and continued existence.
I am Mrs. Elizabeth Edward from New Zealand, an aging widow of 58 years. I
am childless and I am suffering from a pro-long cancer ill health. I have
some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum $19.7 Million Dollars
and I need a very honest and God fearing who can withdraw this money then
use the funds for Charity works. I WISH TO GIVE THIS FUND TO YOU FOR
CHARITY WORKS. I came across your E-mail from my personal search from the
internet after my prayers to the LORD to bring me a helper and I decided to
contact you if you may be willing and interested to handle these trust and
funds in good faith to fulfill my final wish before I die. I have been
trying to handle this project for the past 4 years by myself hoping I will
get better, but I have seen that it won’t be possible anymore.
I want you to use the 30% percent of the total amount to help yourself in
doing the project while the rest goes for the work of God. I am desperately
in need of your assistance and I have summoned up courage to contact you
for this task, you must not fail me and the millions of the poor people in
our today’s WORLD. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers
involve its 100% RISK FREE. Please if you would be able to use the funds
for the Charity works kindly let me know immediately. I will appreciate
your utmost confidentiality and trust in this matter to accomplish my heart
desire, as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my last wish.
God Bless you
Mrs. Elizabeth Edward
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