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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:
- "dearest beloved one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "mrs.Sonia Abba" <mrs.abba20@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 11:06:10 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: FROM MRS SONIA ABBA
My dearest beloved One,
A WIDOW TO LATE MR David ABBA I AM 59 YEARS OLD.
How are you today? I hope all is well with you and your family to the glory of almighty God. My name is Mrs. Sonia Abba. I am married to Late Mr. David Abba who works in France Embassy ahere in lome -Togo West Africa for nine years before he died in the year 2007. My dear I am divinely touched in my heart to offer my inheritance fund through you for Charity work to help the less privileges, orphans and motherless children.
My dear I am written you this message because I am suffering from esophageal Liver Cancer for years now and I have undergone series of cancer treatments but no avail. Recently I went for a medical check up and my doctor privately told me that I might not survive this cancer illness because the cancer has damage my Liver. Having known to my condition, I have decided to donate my inheritance fund to you the sum of Seven Million Eight Hundred Thousand united states dollars ($7.800.000.00). My dear I want you to use this fund for Charity work in helping the less privileges, orphaans and motherless children. My dear I have decided to hand over this fund to you so that you will conduct a vastly charity work and
dispense the fund to the glory of God in helping the less privileges and orphans around. My dear immediately I hear from you I will give you all the details about this Fund ok. I pray that God will be with you in as you desire to do this Charity work.
I'm waiting to receive your replay.
Best Regards,
Your Sister in the Lord.
Mrs. Sonia Abba.
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