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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 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)
- "hundred thousand 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: "Mrs. Lisa Williams" <mr.andersonclark27@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mralisawilliamss1@aol.com
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2023 03:53:12 +0100
Subject: I have confident in you
I have confident in you
TO HELP THE ORPHANAGE HOMES
Dear Beloved Brother /Sister
Good Day
I am Mrs.Lisa Williams very sick and admitted in the hospital as I need to
go in for a second surgical operation and I suffered a partial stroke that
affected my tongue and my speech as well.Please can you help me to receive
the sum of $4.5 Million Dollars [Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand United
State Dollars Only] for investment in your country. Having viewed and
studied your statue on-line which motivated me that you can be trusted with
this project.The money is in an overseas bank.Kindly help me with this
project before I die.
I want my part to go to charities through you for the good work of the
Lord, and to help the motherless, less privileged Orphans and widows?
Please can you invest part of the money for me in real estate in your
Country too.I will give you all the details as soon as I hear from
you.Please reply without delay. God bless you and your family.
Yours faithfully.
Mrs.Lisa Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
