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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:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- mrsmariamartins@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Maria Martins" <abcontactoffice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmariamartins@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:26:59 +0100
Subject: Urgent response please,
Urgent response please,
My condition here in the hospital is so critical. I want you to assist
me to receive my fund (26 million euros) deposited in the bank and
donate to the less privilege in your country. You will donate 60% to
the less privilege/orphanage while you have 40% as compensation and
you have to contact me immediately through my private email
(mrsmariamartins@yahoo.com) for more details and explanations.
Expecting your urgent responds as soon as possible and avoid delay.
god bless you.
Regards,
Mrs. Maria Martins.
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Anti-fraud resources:
