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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:
- 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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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: Urgent <rose_mary00@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: Urgent <rosemaryus2@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 22 May 2015 19:17:56 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Hope in Good Health.
Hello Dear One
I hope you are in good health while reading this painful letter of mine
and it is about my serious health condition now.
My
late Husband was the secret help of former Ex-president of Ivory Coast Mr. Laurent
GBAGBO who was arrested on the 11/ April /2011 and my only chid was killed
along with my lovely Husband in the Political Crisis by the rebels since than I
was not feeling so well, thinking, having attacks till now my conditions was
worst and my Doctor certified that I have just a few time to live due to the
devastating effect of ovarian Cancer in my body system and I have decided to
will my fortune to you but hence forth, a Nurse helper will be helping me in replying
your mails and MY LAWYER will be communicating and directing you on how to
claim this fortune worth ( $6.5 US Million Dollars) from my Deposit Bank
Account here in Ivory Coast West Africa where I have lived for many years.
NOTE: MY LAWYER
willhandle everything by himself smoothly
in your Name and this FUND will be transfer to your bank account fast to execute
this Charity work immediately in your country.
I have prayed hard before
contacting you, so don't be scared, fearful or asked about how I got your
contact but just know that destiny brought the both of us together and please I
will like you to invest 60% of this fund on charity and the rest should be for
you and your family and I hope you won't reject my offer.
If I hear from you urgent today with a positive response, I will get
back to you with my Full NAME and more Details by my Doctor.
Thanks and God bless you.
Sincerely yours.
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