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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:
- "consignment " (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.
- mrs.katejohnson2009@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Carney John" <447629023559@bullworlduk.com>
Reply-To: carneyjohn41@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:33:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Greeting
Dear Beloved I am resending you this email in good faith I am Mr.John Carney now undergoing medical treatment for cancer. I was married to Late Mrs. Rita Carney and we had no kids. My wife worked with a company in your country as the Financial officer for many years before her death in 2007, she entrusted me with all files involving the funds she deposited with a security and finance institution which Worth's $3.5M the funds is in a consignment tagged family treasury which make the security company officer not to know that the real content is money to avoid the security company officer tampering the funds.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I have few months to live due to my cancer problem. Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to you since you are a citizen of the country she worked with so that you can use it to build an orphanage home in your Country to help less privilege because i believe that any funds made from an environment should be re-invested in the environment and With the help of my doctor, my lawyer will issue you a Letter of Authority from the Court naming you the original Beneficiary of these funds.
Only if you are interested, kindly response to this mail. Once i receive your response/confirmation to work with me and if you assure me to use the funds as i have instructed, I will provide you with every documents so that you can immediately proceed to the security company in other to claim the funds/consignments. You are not to send me any money for any reason. All i demand is your corroboration, trust and assurance not to petray me that you will follow my instruction. I wait for your response.
Please send all response strictly to my email below.
mrs.katejohnson2009@gmail.com
In God Arms I Rest My Hope.
Regards
Mr. Carney John
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