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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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: "Sister Christiana Lizzy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lizzychristiana08@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 May 2022 10:08:50 -0000
Subject: GREETINGS
Greetings My Beloved,
My name is Sister Christiane Lizzy. I am a cancer patient who had
decided to donate what I have to you. I am 59 years old and I was
diagnosed of cancer disease for about 2 years ago. I lost my husband
and was all left alone becaus I had no child. I have no family and I'm
going to go for an operation any moment from
now, and I pray that if it pleases God,that I may survive the
operation I have decided to WILL / DONATE the sum of (Eight million
five hundred thousand United States dollars) for the work of the Lord
and charity purposes.
Currently, I have informed my attorney of my decision in WILLING this
fund to you. Please respond immediately so that I will provide your
with further details on how to receive this fund.
Thank you and God bless you.
Sister Christiane Lizzy.
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Anti-fraud resources:
