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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 "dying merchant" scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- farhanaalexander37@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Farhana Alexander <no-reply@drivethrustuff.com>
Reply-To: Farhana Alexander<farhanaalexander37@gmail.com>
Date: 9 Apr 2023 11:35:11 +0000
Subject: MY NAME IS Farhana Alexander.
MY NAME IS Farhana Alexander.
I am from Dubai, United Arab Emirates but has lived most of my
life in California, USA. I have been diagnosed with cancer. It
has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have
only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I
have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really
cared for anyone (not even myself) but my oil and gas business.
Though I am very rich, I was never generous because my late
father was killed by greedy business partners which caused me so
much pain.
I was always hostile to People and only focused on my business as
that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as
I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have
or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a
second chance to come to this world I would live my life a
different way from how I have lived it. I would want to have a
Personal and Trustworthy Relationship with you, as I intend to
invest much of my savings in charity and philanthropic
activities. I want to touch lives positively and help those
beyond my environment. I want to help the less privilege and
Homeless through you.
I will send you my photos and write more about myself when I read
from you.
Reply me back here (farhanaalexander37@gmail.com)
Thank you for your due consideration. God be with you
Best wishes.
Mrs.Farhana Alexander.
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Anti-fraud resources:
