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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Maria Elisabeth Schaeffler<helpdesk@noc.uoi.gr>
Reply-To: telecom.investment11@gmail.com
Date: 15 Sep 2023 03:43:00 +0200
Subject: I have Donation of 8,200.000.00$ For you,Can I Trust you?
Greetings to you I have tried emailing this account multiple
times because you have now been selected for both my charity
project to you as my last wish on earth so I can unite with my
late daughter and husband. I'm seriously ill and my doctor said I
might not make it alive. You are one of the lucky winners of my
cash inheritance donation for you. Respond back as you will
receive a $8,200,000.00 million donation to help the poor and
homeless,while you keep 40% of the money for your expenses so
that God will accept my soul to heaven. Please contact me via
telecom.investment11 @gmail.com as soon as possible when you
receive this email for more information on the progress.
Sincerely, Mrs.Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler Copyright © 2023 All
rights reserved.
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Anti-fraud resources:
