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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "my names are " (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: Mrs Divine Jonathan <mrsdivinejo@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsdivinek@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:47:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Humanitarian Project
Humanitarian Project
Hello Dear,
My names are Mrs Divine Jonathan Kone suffering from Leukemia/Lung Cancer which my doctor has confirmed that days are no longer at my favor due to condition of my health. Knowing my situation, I decided to set a humanitarian project through you which I know that you will not betray the love of God directing me to your hand.
Bear in mind that I took this difficult decision as a human being because I have no family that could have inherited this funds ($6.5 million United States dollars).Urgently get back to me with your personal details so that I will take it to my bank in other to introduce you officially to their office to enable my bank establish a direct comunication with you for the transfer of these funds to your account. Your delays answering to this message will create an avenue looking for another hand that will give urgent attention to this transaction as an assistance to meet my objectives.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs Divine Jonathan Kone.
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Anti-fraud resources:
