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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: LOVELIN VINCENT <lovelin_vincent@att.net>
Reply-To: mrslovelin_v2@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:42:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Greetings in the name of God
Greetings in the name of God
Dear Beloved Friend,
I am Mrs Lovelin Vincent,I was married to Late Chief Vincent Williams a
government contractor in our country, I have sum huge amount which i
inherited from my late husband
before he was killed by unknown person on his way returning from a business trip.I want to
make a donation of this fund to help Orphans/Widows and Charitable homes
in your Country and I assumed that you will be able to receive this Fund
and use it according to my wishes and my heart desire to the
Orphans/Widows and Charitable homes in your Country.
The Bible made us to understand that"Blessed is the hand that giveth". l took this decision
because i have no child for my late husband before he was killed and non of his relatives
are Christians not even good at all. I don't want them to know about this development and l
know that With God all things are possible this is why I am taking this decision to donate
this money to a foreigner who will use it to help the charity,widow's and church in his or
her area.Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein. Hoping to
receive your response immediately.
As soon as I hear from you i shall guided you with more information on how you will receive
the fund immediately.
Remain Blessed in the Jesus name Amen.
Yours Sister In Christ,
Mrs lovelin Vincent.
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Anti-fraud resources:
