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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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 Sarah Solomon <sarah.solomon56@live.fr>
Reply-To: sarah.solomon56@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:02:23 +0800 (CST)
Subject:
Apostolic work and I want a Good Person.
Dearest In God.
Greetings,Iam Mrs.Sarah Solomon.and an aging widow suffering from long time illness.i am currently admitted in a hospital here in Abidjan coted'Ivory my husband home country where have been for years in marriage that lasted for 41years with out any child, I have some funds I inherited from my late loving husband Dr Jacob Solomon The amount of US$6.200,000.00 Six Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars which he deposited in one of the Security Company in United Kingdom London and I need a honest and God loveing person who have the feelings of human that canuse to is funds for God's work and 30% out of the total funds will be for your compasation for doing this work of God.Please if you would be able to use these funds for the Lord's work kindly reply me.The money is in the Security Company in United Kingdom London.So my dear if you are willing to assist i need your full contact informations to able me submit it to the Security Company in United Kingdom
London.
Your Full Name
Your Home address and office
Your Telephone Number & Fax
Your Occupation
May the Grace of our God the love of God and the sweet fellowship of the be with you and your family's Amen.
Your Sister In The Lord.
Mrs.Sarah Solomon.
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Anti-fraud resources:
