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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "god-fearing " (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.
- 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.
- folademutota01@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: hospital <jenniepayne@etcmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 05:03:19 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: (HOSPITAL MESSAGE ) reply urgent
Greetings,
My name is Mrs. Gamila Botros, writing from the hospital in Ivory Coast, therefore this mail is very urgent. I am an aging widow who had long suffered from the disease of cancer currently admitted in a private hospital which I do not know what tomorrow will be. the message that you are currently reading is written by means of a using the nurse sister who works at the hospital. I can't type on the keyboard to the result of my current health status. I have a little orphan child and $3.5 million i inherited from late husband and I want you use this fund for the works of God. I am contacting you because I need a very honest and God-fearing and trustworthy person who can use these funds for the works of God. Your e-mail address was found from a directory and I have decided to contact you. Please if you would be able to use these funds for the Lord's work. Kindly reply me to ( folademutota01@yahoo.co.jp ) as soon as possible for more detail.
Your Sister In The Lord.
Mrs. Gamila Botros
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Anti-fraud resources: