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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.
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- 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.
- hamilton.martha@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: mplanas.oemc@telic.es
Reply-To: hamilton.martha@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 13:52:04 -0700
Subject: MY DEAREST!
Dearest,
I'm Martha Hamilton, currently undergoing medical treatment for cancer Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). I was married to Late Dr. Collins Hamilton who worked with Woodside Petroleum Limited (Australia) for 57yrs years before he died in the year 2012
Before my Husband died, we both make a deposit of a total sum US$9.8M in a Private Bank. Recently, My Doctor told me that I have few months to live due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to a honest Person for charitable cause. My Attorney will issue you a Letter of Authority from Court naming you the original Beneficiary of these funds. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein.
Hoping to hear from you.
In His Arms.
Mrs. Martha Hamilton.
E-mail: hamilton.martha@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
