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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "% will be for you" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs M. Elena Fernandez" <hgf1@zax.att.ne.jp>
Reply-To: fernand.ezelen@yahoo.cn
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 8:00:08 +0900
Subject: Greetings
Mrs M. Elena Fernandez
Dearest in Christ,
I know that this mail may reach you by surprise. As we don't know
ourselves previously .I am the above name person. I am citizen of
Philippine married to (Mr.Edward Rodolfo Fernandez) from Cote D'Ivoire
who work with Ambassador of Philippine for nineteen years here in Cote
D'Ivoire. We were married for fifteen years without a child. He died
after a brief illness that lasted for only two weeks.
Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my
matrimonial home which the Bible is against. but When my late husband was
alive, he deposited the sum of $7.3Musd (Seven Million Three Hundred
Thousand U.S. Dollars) in cash concealed in a trunk box and deposits it
with a Security Company in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire which he declare and
register it as family valuables.
Meanwhile, i have not tell anybody about this money. I am telling you
about it reason that i want you to assist me use the fund for the work of
GOD. Even due you are not a Christian. that is not a problem to me what i
want is for you to use it and help the helpless people around you to help
the orphanages, widows, and motherless children.
The Political Situation in My Country is Very Bad and Many People Are Been
Killed on Daily Bases. I Am Stocked now and i have decide to live the
country.
My Doctor told me that i have serious sickness which is cancer of breast
problem .The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness Having known
my condition I decided to donate this fund for charity work.
I will donating 60% to the poor and the disadvantaged and the orphans and
25% i will use it for my medical treatment and 15% will be for your
assistant.
I also want you to know that this matter is %100 RISK FREE because I have
all the deposit documents with me .all I needs is your seriousness to
handle this matter with all your mind.
So please i am waiting for your urgent reply so that i will give you all
the information about this money .
Your information is requested.
(1) Your Full name...................
(2) Your Full address................
(3) Your telephone/Fax Numbers.......
Remain Blessed always
Mrs M. Elena Fernandez
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