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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million pounds" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ruthsmith129@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "YUHSIU" <YUHSIU@kbronet.com.tw>
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:48:38 +0800
Subject: Thank You
Dearest.
My name is Ruth Smith, A business woman from London UK. I was recently diagnosed with Breast cancer
and the doctor told me that my cancer has gone to the advanced stage and my chance of survival is
very small. In light of this development, i have decided to give out all my life savings since i
only have a few weeks to live.
The total amount currently in my bank account total seven million pounds. I have decided to donate
this sum to charity through you. All my life, i have worked very hard and i beleive now is the time
for me to give back to the needy. Following doctors advise, i am unable take any telephone calls
because the doctor say i need a lot of rest and since i have no kids of my own some of my relatives
sometimes come around me and i do not want them to know my current intention.
I want to donate this sum to charity for humanity reasons and i am trusting that you can receive
this sum and use it for the good work of God as it is intended. If you can help me with this
project, please reply me through my private email: ruthsmith129@hotmail.com. I will be waiting for
your reply
Regards
Ruth Smith
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Anti-fraud resources:
