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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 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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sally Soussa" <sally.soussa@aol.fr>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2015 21:06:55 -0700
Subject: Agreement
Hi 　 I know this may come as surprise since we do not know each other before now, but I　am contacting you with trust and faith i have in divine direction.
My name is Mrs. Sally Soussa a nationality of Kuwait. I am married to late Dr. Raymond Soussa　who worked with Kuwait embassy in Benin Republic for nine years before he died in the year October 2012.
We were married for twenty years without a child. When my late husband was alive we deposited the sum of 33MillionUSD (Thirty Three Million United States Dollars) with one of good banks here in Benin Republic for investment purpose. 　 Presently, I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer; it has defiled all forms of medical treatment, having known my condition I decided to contact you in order to discus Trusteeship partner agreement. This means that will be entitled to 25% of the total fund as my fund/investment partner to enable me take proper care of myself.
As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you the contact information of my lawyer and my bank, I will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the new beneficiary of this fund. . Remain blessed in the name of God Yours faithfully Mrs Sally Soussa
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Anti-fraud resources:
