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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: Caroline Obah <destinyman101ng@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: destinyman102@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:19:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: May the Peace of God be with you
In good faith
Greetings,
Please excuse me for all the inconveniences my mail could cause you. I have the pleasure to expose to you my predicaments. Please even if we never knew before, I believe firmly that on the basis of the right of humanitarian assistance that a real confidence and love can arise from our communication. I was told by the doctor few days ago that my liver was damaged beyond control as a result of poisonous food my step mother served me and can only live for some months.
I believe my step mother out of her selfish greed wanted me dead by all means because she did not have a child for my late father and that was why he willed his deposited treasures to me as the only daughter.
des
As soon as I receive your response I will explain further and send you my personal documents legalizing the treasures; on the other hand if I don't hear from you within two or three days, I will be left with no option than to look for another person who is willing to execute my wish.
Remain blessed as I wish you accomplish my wish. Pray for me always.
Sincerely,
Caroline Obah
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Anti-fraud resources:
