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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mary Marshall" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marymrshll7@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 05:15:43 -0700
Subject: WILL
Dear,
Life became unbearable on the 5th of March, 2003 when my husband Chief
Harry Marshall was shot dead in our home. Since then I have been living
with shock and uncertainties. You can find details of the killings on
these websites:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2821299.stm
http://english.people.com.cn/200304/09/eng20030409_114815.shtml
http://www.ngex.com/personalities/voices/starbaluko030603.htm
I have to mourn his death based on custom and tradition, thereafter the
WILL will be read to the whole family. Part of the WILL of my husband
stated so investment my husband has in Europe and America which I will
like you to handle.
I will give you details when I get your response.
Mrs. Mary Marshall
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Anti-fraud resources:
