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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- mrsruthkelly44@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Ruth Kelly" <info@inspiredtouch.net>
Reply-To: mrsruthkelly44@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:41:26 +0100
Subject: Dear in Christ,
Dear in Christ,
I am Mrs Ruth Kelly from Kuwait. I am married to Mr Richard Kelly. He
worked with Nigeria embassy in Lagos for nine years before he
died in the year 2011.
When my late Husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2.5.Million
(Two Million Five hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) in one of the
international Banks here in Lagos Nigeria.
I want somebody that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.
Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Ruth Kelly
Contact Email: mrsruthkelly44@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
