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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 message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Zarina Al-Usman" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:23:35 +0100
Subject: Assalamu Alaikum
Based on your good profile I want to solicit for your help in fulfilling my wish, I am Mrs. Zarina Al-Usman 58yrs old widow, my husband and I worked with Tullow oil Cote dIvoire before he died seven years ago, I am writing you this message on my sick bed at the hospital where I am undergoing medical treatment
I have been diagnosed of endometrial cancer unfortunately for me my doctor said I don't have any chance to survive. I need your help. Please reply me now for more information.
Sallam,
Mrs. Zarina Al-Usman
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