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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)
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "clarabeagley@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Clara Beagley <carlmangus@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: clarabeagley@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 06:36:36 +0100
Subject: Confidentail And Urgent.
Dear Friend
My sincere apologies for contacting you through this form and means
but the circumstances around me leaves me with no other choice.I am
prayerfully letting all to you hoping that you will respond positively
and wont betray my trust too. I may have to introduce myself. My name
is Clara Beagley undergoing medical treatment in Leratong Hospital
JohannesBurg. south africa.
i am married to dr. Aaron Beagley who worked with british judical
commission in england. We were married for fifteen years without a
child. Before his death on the 5th of july 2004.he made a vow to use
his wealth for the less privileged.he deposited the sum of 5.5 million
pounds with one security company in europe.presently, his money is
still with the company.recently, my doctor told me that i will not
last for the next 4 months due to a rare form of cancer of the
pancreas but what disturbs me most is my stroke.i have decided to
donate this funds to a god fearing person who will utilise it as my
husband wished.I understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I
took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are not inclined to helping poor
persons and I do not want my husbands hard earned money to be misused
or spent in the manner in which my late husband did not specify.
I do not want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
manner, hence the reason for taking this bold decision. I am not
afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going
to be in the bosom of the Almighty. I do not need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health, and because of the
presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I do not want
them to know about this development. With god all things are possible.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the
Finance/Security Company in Europe. I will also issue you a letter of
authority that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this
fund. I want you to always pray for me and Please assure me that you
will act according to my specification herein.
I shall provide you with more detailed explanation on the situation of
things after I have received your positive response to assist through
this and honestly too.
Note= direct your response to this email for more information and for
sake of confidentiality [ clarabeagley@outlook.com ].
I do not want anyone to infilterate into my intentions. you know how
people behave because of money. i have decided to let this out to you
and you alone so please just follow my leading
I anxiously await your reply
Mrs Clara Beagley
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