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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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Nicole Marois <mrs.nicolemarois3333@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 18:20:27 +0000
Subject: From Mrs Nicole Marois
I am Mrs. Nicole Maoris , I am a dying woman who have decided to
donate what I have to you/churches/ motherless babies/less
privileged/widows’ was diagnosed for cancer for about 2 years ago. I
have been touched by god to donate from what I have inherited from my
late husband to you for good work of god. I have asked god to forgive
me and believe he has because he is a merciful god I will be going in
for an operation soon.
I decided to will/donate the sum of $ 2.5 million dollars to you for
the good work of god, and also to help the motherless and less
privilege and also forth assistance of the widows. At the moment I
cannot take any telephone calls right now due to the fact that my
relatives (that have squandered the funds I gave them for this purpose
before) are around me and my health status also. I have adjusted my
will and my lawyer is aware.
I wish you all the best and May the good God bless you abundantly, and
please use the funds judiciously and always extend the good work to
others. As soon you get back to me, I shall give you info on what I
need from you then you will contact the bank and tell them I have
willed those properties to you by quoting my personal file routing and
account information. And I have also notified the bank that I am
willing that properties to you for a good, effective and prudent work.
I know I don't know you but I have been directed to do this by god.
Yours faithful friend.
Mrs. Nicole Maoris
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Anti-fraud resources:
