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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:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "god fearing " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Grace George <gracegeorge120120@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2022 23:45:19 -0800
Subject: PLEASE READ AND REPLY ME
--
Dear Beloved,
I suppose this letter comes to you as a surprise yet i beseech you to give
your attention and go through the content carefully as the decision you
take on this will go long way to save many less privilege. My contact to
you is divine just to entrust you with my fortune - inherited fund (US$10.5
million dollars) for the purpose of heading a charity project in your
country. I viewed your contact on the event calendar of the year and after
long prayers I came to conclusion to reach you with believe that you are a
God fearing type and can help me receive this money and use it creditably
for Charity project. I am from Israel, my age is 67. I am childless and
widow. I have been suffering from terminal cancer for years. Right now i am
writing to you from my hospital bed.
Few days ago my doctor diagnosed that i cannot live further because the
cancer has gotten to the worst stage. For the reason adding to the fact
that i have no child to inherit the money i decided to contact you if you
may be willing to help me receive the money and use it for Charity project.
In my plans i decided to portion 30% of the money as your personal
endowment while you use and invest the rest 70% for charity project.
Like i said i came to you with faith and i hope you will neither fail me
nor fail millions of less privilege outside there. Please if you are
willing to accept my proposal unconditional, i would like you to reply me
immediately and also state your own opinion.
However i will appreciate your utmost confidence and trust in this
proposal. Due to my present health situation, i will appreciate your quick
reply so that I can give you more information.
God bless you as i wait eagerly for your quick reply,
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Grace George
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