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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "stay blessed" (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.
- mabel6303@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mabel Mandi <mabel6303@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 15:22:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: HI
Hello,
Hope you are doing just fine over there.My name is Mabel. I just want to let you know that l came across your profile and your e-mail address today and after going through it l found you interesting,hope you don't mind.
If you are interested in knowing more about me and for me to send you my picture,just feel free to contact me at my private mail address at(mabel6303@yahoo.com)
Hope to hear from you soon,have a nice day and stay blessed.please dear i will like you to contact me with this email address so that i will send you my picture soonest,
Mabel6303@yahoo.com
Mabel.
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Anti-fraud resources:
