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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: HMONG DAW <daw-----2010@att.net>
Reply-To: hmongdaw2000@yahoo.com.au
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:22:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: $450.000.00 FUNDS DONATION.
Dear Friend.
I am the above named person, who is now undergoing medical treatment. I was married to late Mr. Vikrom Daw who worked With the Embassy for Nine years. We were married for eleven years without a child. My late husband Engr Vikrom Daw died on the 27th September 2003 St. George's Hospital Sheredtch London after a brief illness that lasted for only four Days. I decided not to re-marry or get a Child outside my matrimonial home, because as a good Christian my religion is against it says the Bible and I lived a happy and good Christian life with my late husband. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $450.000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) with one Finance house Presently in Bangkok Thailand. I have been in the hospital for eight months suffering from breast cancer. The 1st surgery has been conducted and I lost one of my breast and still have the pains that makes me crying every day and night looking up to God to
save my life.
Recently my Doctor told me that another surgery will be conducted and I may not survive it because, the cancer has grown to bad. Having known my condition, I decided to donate the $450.000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) my late husband deposited with a finance house in Bangkok to charity and the less privilege through your help. For Example the Orphan, Old people’s home and also to the homeless I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit these Funds. I want you to always pray for me as I have no life again says my doctor. It will be my pleasure to receive your sincere response and promise that you will carry out this task as a good samaritan and to the glory of GOD. I will direct you to my late husband attorney who will help you to secure the necessary legal documents for the $450.000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) to be transferred to you and I want you to assure me that
you will use this funds judiciously.
I am waiting for your response to my humble request.
God bless you and your good family
Mrs. Hmong Daw.
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