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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: CYNTHIA LEE <cynthia.lee1@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: mrscynthialee@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:45:06 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Hello Dear,
From;Mrs.Cynthia VandeBerg Lee
Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire
Des Martyrs 44.Avenue
06 BP.7452 Abidjan RCI
Hello Dear,
How are you and your family? Hope Fine. I am Mrs.Cynthia VandeBerg Lee from united states of America. A cancer woman.I was married to Late Chief VandeBerg Lee Kokou of a French speaking colony Ivory Coast who was a contractor with the government of Cote D'Ivoire before he died after few months now in the hospital over a family witch craft attack for the acts of jealousy of his wealth.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $8.500 Million in the bank in Europe which i will like you to contact them and ask for them to be transfer this money into your bank account for you to use it to help the the less privilaged people,because my Doctor told me that it is very likely i will die within the next 6 months due to my cancer {LEUKAMIA}.
I have decided to donate the money for charity since i do not have a child to inherit it and it better i do not die leaving the money there without it reaching the poor and the less privilaged ones in the soceity since i do not want my husband family to inherit this money due to their wicked deed to my family.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated here in. Hoping to receive your response immedaitely.
Thanks and Remain blessed.
Mrs.Cynthia VandeBerg Lee.
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Anti-fraud resources:
