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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:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Patricia Franklyn" <pafra123@bigpond.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Jul 2016 12:15:23 +1000 (AEST)
Subject: Re.Writting from hospital
Dearest in the Lord
Please forgive me if my plea sounds a little strange or unbelievable to
you. I am Mrs. Patricia Franklyn, a woman from Israel but now undergoing
medical treatment in Abidjan the capital city of Ivory Coast. Recently,
My Doctor told me that I may not last for the next seven months due to
cancer problem, though what disturbs me most is my stroke and. Haven
known my condition I decided to Serve God with our wealth.
When my late husband was alive we kept the sum of ($3.5 Million U.S.
Dollars) I have decided to Give out this fund to a church or an
individual or better still a God fearing person who will utilize this
fund the way I am going to instruct here in. I want an individual that
will use this fund to provide succor to the poor, an indigent persons to
help orphanages, widows around him or her and Schools etc.
Please kindly contact me immediately you receive this message.
Hope to receive your reply soon.
hanks and Remain Blessed.
Mrs. Patricia Franklyn
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Anti-fraud resources: