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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:
- "estherjohnson_02@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: esther johnson <estherjohnson03@att.net>
Reply-To: estherjohnson_02@live.com
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:55:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: HONEST AND TRUST
Dear
I am esther johnson . I am married to Dr Alfred Johnson
When my late husband was alive he secured $15Million IN A Private security company.
Recently, my Doctor told me that I am not going to last long, expecially,
due to cancer and stroke which worries me most.
now i have decided to donate this money immediately to any Organization that
can utilize this money specifically for the work of almighty.
Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another
organization or individual for this same purpose, but for now, I am
contacting you alone in due confidence. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated herein.
reply to this email address for confidential
estherjohnson_02@live.com
Yours Sister
Mrs Esther Johnson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
