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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 american dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Maisum Ayesha" <ecowasboardoffice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: maisumayesha@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 20:39:03 +0200
Subject: From Mrs. Maisum Ayesha
>From Mrs. Maisum Ayesha
My Dear in Assalamu alaikum
I am the above named person I am married to Mr. Maisum Ali born in
Islamic Muslim and i am widow and I want to make donation of
$5,000,000. Five Million American Dollars only to help Orphans and
Widows and Charitable homes Mosque or Church in your Country and I
assumed that you will be able to receive this Fund and use it to my
wished to the needs in your country and i am seriously ill please
always putting me in your daily prayers because i don't know when it
will end with me.
Reply back to me immediately for more details about this fund.
May almighty Allah bless you?
Mrs. Maisum Ayesha
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Anti-fraud resources:
