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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto CGH" <williamsruto076@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wruto1966@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:34:50 -0700
Subject: Collaboration
Dear Sir,
I am sorry to approach you unexpectedly and unapproved. It is because of the urgency and uncertainty surrounding me as a result of the long protest in my country which some Kenyans are asking for my resignation or my head.
My names are William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, the president of Kenya. I know you will be highly shocked to receive my message or even to approach you as we had nothing connectings us together.
I am knocking at your door for you to give me that deserved warm welcome into a possible business collaboration as destiny may have it as my fate as the president of Kenya is hanging in a balance.
Accept the assurance of my highest regards.
Yours sincerely,
Williams Ruto (CGH)
President of Kenya.
Nairobi.
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Anti-fraud resources: