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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Sophia Hills <spakuta12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sophills201@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2021 04:18:07 +0000
Subject: I need your prompt response.
Hello.
I am Mrs. Sophia Hills from Canada living in CI. I decided to donate
part of what I have to the Charities (Orphanage homes). I was
diagnosed for cancer immediately after the death of my husband and we
have no child.
I have been touched to donate part from what I have inherited from my
late husband for the charity work, I decided to transfer the fund to
your country for investment and donate part to the charities, I
managed to get your contact details through the internet on my
desperate search for a trustworthy person to assist me in this charity
foundation.
As I lay on my sick bed in hospital, I want you to help me in carrying
out my last wish on earth which will be very profitable to you as
well, I want to WILL a total sum of $3 million USD (Three Million
United State Dollars) to you which you will distribute part of it to
any charity home of your choice and part for investment and I want you
to tell me how much you will take from this money for the assistance
you will give to me.
Best Regards
Mrs. Sophia Hills.
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Anti-fraud resources:
