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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state of america" (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: "Susan Helms" <susanhelms1@live.com>
Date: Mon, 26 May 2014 03:28:23 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: HELLO MY DEAREST
Hi dear friend,
I'M LIEUTENANT GENERAL SUSAN J. HELMS. I am a UNITED STATE ARMY GENERAL.
>From united state of America. Am supportive and caring, looking forward to
get a nice friend. I read your profile and pick interest on you. I will
like to establish mutual friendship with you. Please let continue our
conversation through my private email box. Here is my email address
(susanhelms1@live.com) I will introduce myself better and send you my
picture as soon as i receive your mail.
Thanks and regards.
Gen. SUSAN J. HELMS.
(susanhelms1@live.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
