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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 us 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)
- "calvary greetings" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- nienshen@yandex.ru (Yandex; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: mrs alila 05 <mrsalila05@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:23:25 +0000
Subject: Receive my Donation,
Calvary Greetings,
My Name is Mrs Nien Sheng a Lung Cancer patient I have decided to donate
what I have for the charity works orphanage homes widows and reaching
the less privileged in the society together with the poor and the needy
that are suffering in your country with this through you.
Hence my inability to communicate with this project more Effectively as
I am on sick bed which I cannot walk or do anything unless by the help
of my doctors and nurses, please keep this matter to yourself because
this is a vow I have already made and I will like it to be between you
and me to avoid anything that will hinder my vow.
I am Donating the sum of Five Million US Dollars ($5,000,000.00) that is
my inheritance from my late husband who was a successful Gold and cocoa
Business dealer. you may be wondering the reason why I choose you but
someone has to be chosen, I am 62 years old and was diagnosed cancer of
the lungs about 2 years ago Immediately after the death of my husband
who had left everything he worked for on my care because we don't have
any child that will lay claims on this fund. so if you are willing to
assist me to carry out this charity project:: let me know:
CONTACT(NienShen@yandex.ru)
Regards
Mrs Nien Sheng
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Anti-fraud resources:
