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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:
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- f.smithfsmith@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs.Flora Smith <mrscardonazamaz6040@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <f.smithfsmith@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 May 2015 07:31:47 +0100
Subject:
Dear pls reply back using
f.smithfsmith@hotmail.com
I am Mrs Flora Smith,Peace and the love of God be with you, hope you are a devoted Muslim,Jew or christain and
please can i trust you? because i have something very
secret to share with you, i know we have not met each other before
but God directed me to you through a dream after my seven days fasting
and prayers.
I needed someone that I can trust with a charity work. I have been
diagnosed with Euphorically Cancer of the Lungs according to Doctor
I will die any moment. I have been badly treated by close associates.
I am a repented child of God now and God has put it in my mind to give out
the rest of my Money to Charity, I don't trust all the Monks here
after the Gay scandal. I want you to Distribute these Funds to
people that need it. I am 84yrs old and God has really
Blessed me with fortunes.I will wait here for your Response before before
more details.God will continue to guide and protect you and your family.
My Regards,
Flora Smith
N:B: Dear pls reply back using
f.smithfsmith@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
