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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:
- "remain blessed" (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: Stephanie Smith <as5787336@gmail.com>
Reply-To: stephanieanderson20260@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2022 06:25:38 -0700
Subject:
Hello,
Kindly, excuse my invasion of your privacy. My Name is Mrs. Stephanie Smith
from Brisbane Australia. I want to entrust Charity Funds in your care but
will let you know reasons behind my action. I was married for 18 years with
no child until my husband passed away in 2012 in an accident. Before his
death we were both faithful Christians so i decided not to remarry. I began
managing the investments until i was diagnosed of Cancer so could not
manage it anymore hence sold all properties and realized $3.9 M (USD). This
money i want to use to assist the less privileged and widows but will need
your assistance to reach out to them as my health has become a barrier to
my dreams. I await your response as soon as possible. Remain Blessed.
Mrs. Stephanie Smith
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Anti-fraud resources:
