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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:
- "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- ms.marycharles@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mary Charles <marycharles15@msn.com>
Reply-To: ms.marycharles@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 7 May 2012 14:32:33 +0100
Subject: I Hope you Reply Soon
Dear Beloved One
I am Mrs Mary Charles from United Kingdom. I and my husband were into estate management and also a government estate building contractor before my husband death on 25th November 2008. We were married for eleven years without a child due to my fibroid problem. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only few days.
Since my husband death I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of 6.7 Million pounds in a bank in London. Recently my doctor told me that I would not last for the next four months due to my cancer problem. From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and is quite obvious that I may not leave more than two months because the cancer has gotten to a very dangerous stage. Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to a good person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct. I want you to use 80% of this fund for orphanages, widows and charity organisations and also take 20% percent as your payment to help me achieve this aim. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this money. This is why I am taking this decision to donate to charity.
Please I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health. I will be very happy to understand that you used this money the way I want.
Please I will be glad to receive your email immediately because any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person. I do not know what will happen to me the next day so I wish to give out information on how you will receive the money urgently. Even if I do not still leave before you receive the money from the bank, then I will be sure the money is not lost. Please assure me in your reply that you will sincerely use the money as I stated.
I am waiting your reply soon; ms.marycharles@gmail.com
Thank you,
Mrs Mary Charles.
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