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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 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)
- 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.
- stephanie-s@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Stephanie Smith" <klins3b@creekvile.net>
Reply-To: stephanie-s@o2.pl
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 04:23:00 -0500
Subject: May you be blessed, as you reach me.
Hello my dear,
Greetings. My Name is Mrs. Stephanie Smith from United States of America. I want to entrust Charity Funds in your care but will let you know reasons behind my action. We had Joint business with my Late Husband, who died in November 5th 2007 in an Auto Car accident alongside our only son Benjamin,
Indeed it’s a tragic day I will never forget. I managed those investments until i was diagnosed of cancer hence cannot not continue so I sold all and realized $8.5 million dollars which i want to use and assist the less privileged with widows in our society but need your assistance to reach out to
them as my health is a barrier to my good intentions. I await your response urgently through my private email: (stephanie-s@o2.pl) to give you further information.Remain Blessed.
Stephanie Smith
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Anti-fraud resources:
