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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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Christy Walton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <walchriston@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2022 21:40:34 -0500
Subject: Dear Beloved
I am Mrs. Christy Walton but now undergoing medical treatment in London, England. I am married to Late John Walton. We were married without a child. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of £8.5 Million in a Vault with a Security/Finance House in the UK. Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last long due to a cancer problem. Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to an individual or better still a God fearing person who will utilize this money for the orphanages.
I want an individual that will use this to fund and provide for the poor and indigent persons, orphanages.
Please assure me that you will act according to my specification. Kindly reply to this mail with your full full details
Hoping to hear from you. ,
Thank you and May the Almighty bless you.
In Christ
Try check your spam for this mail
Mrs. Christy Walton (Benefactor)
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Anti-fraud resources:
