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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:
- "million us 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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs .Chritina Louis " <joelmira89@gmail.com>
Reply-To: christinalouism@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 31 May 2022 15:57:47 +0100
Subject: Hi Friend !
Hi Friend!.
I decided to solicit your help in fulfilling my wishes in helping the
less privileged in building a charity foundation. I am Mrs. Christina
Louis Brown, a widow suffering from long term cancer and my condition
is really bad and deteriorated. it is quite obvious that I may not
live long according to my doctors, I'm right admitted at a Royal
private hospital. Here in England. I am married to Mr. Victor Brown.
who worked with British oil firm in the United Arab Emirates for nine
years before he died. We were married for 25 years without a child;
after my husband died I decided not to remarry.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$ 8 Million
US Dollars in a Dollar account which I desire to donate for charity
and to be a favor to the poor. I need a good honest, God fearing
person who can use these funds for charitable work in your community.
This fund will go to charity because I have No child who will inherit
it and 30% out of the total fund will be your compensation for doing
the work of God in Charity. All I want is your prayers; your response
will encourage me to direct you with more details about this project
if you are interested.
Have a nice day and I Anticipating your communication.
God bless you.
Mrs. Christina Louis Brown
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Anti-fraud resources:
