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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 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: Princess Rosemary <princessrosemaryosei@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:53:23 +0800
Subject: crying for help
Attn: Mr/Mrs
I will like to share with you concerning my inheritance which my late
father left before his death Twenty Five Million
dollars(US$25,000,000.00) and 3,000 k/g of gold deposited in one of
the Bank in Europe. My name Is Princess Rosemary Osei Opoku Ware. I
have been living in the church since the death of my father because of
wickedness of my uncles and relatives, they treathen to kill me the
way they killed my father so i have to run away from home to Church.
Your help is needed for me to continue my education and have a better
life. I shall forward to you with the necessary documents on
confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the immediate release
of the money to you.
I am making this request to you with tears in my eyes and I feel that
Almighty father will touch your heart with His spirit to listen to me
crying for help and answer me without delay since my breadwinner is no
more and this is my only hope in life. Your positive response will
give me the greatest joy and relief, Furthermore you can indicate your
opinion towards assisting me as i believe, almighty God will bless and
reward you abundantly. you will have to invest my inheritance for me
and be helping me in paying for my school fees. May God touch your
heart and use you to bring back happiness in my life.
Thank you and God bless you
Princess Rosemary
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Anti-fraud resources:
