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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Richeal Johnson <richealjohnson797@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 15:38:42 +0000
Subject: Greetings
Greetings in the name of the lord,
I will like to know you more so that i will entrust my hope on you about my
late husband wishes.I am a widow suffering from cancer of the
breast as i have three million five hundred thousand united state dollars
left at the bank by my late husband which i will give you the
full details to enable the bank transfer this funds to you which you will
engaged into charity service so that the poor,needy and the less
priveleged will benefit from this humanity vision.I will be waiting for
your response and i hope you will do as i will instruct you.Reply
to my email to enable me detail you more on this issue.
Love and Peace
>From Mrs Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources: