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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:
- 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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Grace William <info@xn----dtbbjaim5bmfdqkdk1ff9bc6g.xn--p1ai>
Reply-To: gracewilliam40484@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:44:10 +0000
Subject: PLEASE USE THIS MONEY FOR CHARITY WORK
MY BELOVED
I am Mrs Grace William.Am 67 years old and presently suffering from long
time illness(breast cancer)i am currently admitted in a private hospital
here in Abidjan cote d'Ivoire.I have undergone many surgery and the way
am seeing my self i don't think i can survive this cancer because of my
old age.
My late husband died in a plane crash and during the period of our
marriage we could not bear any child. My late husband was very wealthy
and after his death, I inherited all his businesses and wealth both in
South Africa and Netherlands.
I want to assist you with the funds to do great charity works in your
country, this is my last wish. I am willing to donate (USD$6.5m) to the
less privileged through you. Reply to me for more details if you are
willing to do this work.
Your urgent reply will be highly appreciated,
Best Wishes,
Mrs. Grace William.
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Anti-fraud resources:
