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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:
- "dear beloved," (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.
- 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.
- miriamthomason@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS. MIRIAM THOMASON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <miriamthomason@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:02:02 +0100
Subject: YOUR KIND RESPONSE WILL BE APPRECIATED
Dear Beloved,
I apologize writing you this mail but I want you to consider me with much full heartily. I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears in my eyes and great sorrow in my heart because my Doctor told me that I will die in three months time. Base on this development I want to Will my money which is deposited in a Bank in EUROPE.
I am in search of a reliable person who will use the Money to build charity organization for the saints, the less privilege and help people living with HIV and AIDS.
The person will take 20% of the total sum. While 80% of the money will go to charity organization and helping the orphanage because I equally grew up as an Orphan and I don't have any child and my late husband family members are not reliable to take care of my wealth left behind for me by late husband.
I will provide you with other information's once you indicate your willingness. Please contact me on this email address: miriamthomason@aol.com
Hope to here from you soon.
Yours Faithfully.
Mrs. Miriam Thomason.
Email Address: miriamthomason@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
