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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:
- "dear friend" (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: James Borg <benardabbah@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: james.borg2010@qatar.io
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 02:49:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: In Good Faith
Dear Friend,
I had to contact you after praying over this situation. However is not mandatory is only if the Lord has touched you to help.
I would like to introduce myself first. I am James Borg (Mr.) a Swedish Citizen and a widower. I am one of the post war contractors in Iraq. I have been recently diagnosed of esophageal Cancer and diabetes which was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health which is now slowly collapsing my health condition. I am presently in a hospital,Though it’s a very sad and long story and i believe everyone will die someday but i will cut it short for your quick and easy understanding if your are ready to carryout this noble course. My wife and my only child (Elvis) was murdered in an insurgent bomb attack in Iraq where she wanted to open an NGO for less privileged for charity organizations before her death and of which With the nature of my sickness right now I may not survive to fulfill my late wife wish which is to cater for the motherless babies and charity organizations.
I am seeking for who will diligently carry out this will of God for me hence the Eleven Million, Two Hundred and Fifteen Thousand United States Dollars ($11,215.000) left in a Finance Firm will not be useful to me when am gone. What is required from you is your honesty, trust and sincerity. You can keep 20% only out of this money for your personal use for your involvement and participation in the scheme of this work, while the rest of the money will given to the motherless babies and any other charity organization of your choice that you can trust OR Better still invest the money in any profitable business of your choice and use the profit accrued to carryout this noble course for less privileged in society.
May God Almighty Guide and protect you.
In God We Trust
Mr.James Borg.
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Anti-fraud resources:
