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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:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- annwend57@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Anna Weng" <joangates1012@gmail.com>
Reply-To: annawend57@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2023 11:27:20 +0100
Subject: Seeking For Your Help
--
Dear Beloved,
Please accept my unreserved apology if this short humanitarian proposition
offends your sensitivity. I intend no insult or harm.
My name is Anna Weng, 57 years old. I have a proposition which I am
convinced within me that you can handle the project.
I am Christian and would love to reach out to those in need but I need your
help since I am not totally strong to sustain the stress and handle the
process of this project.
Your full name
Address
Phone number
Your age and Profession.
Your urgent response will be highly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Anna Weng
Note: Please direct your response to this email (annwend57@gmail.com)
Thank you for your interest in my project
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Anti-fraud resources:
