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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:
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "PULLEN JOE" <info@lawoffice.org>
Reply-To: pullenjoe@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:36:10 +0330
Subject: INHERITANCE
This is for your attention.
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of Four million Six hundred Thousand British Pounds
Sterling in the intent of the deceased (names now withheld since this
is our second letter to you). We contacted you because you bear the
surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to
the inheritance since there is no written will.
Our legal services is to provide our private clients with a complete
service. We are happy to prepare wills, set-up and administer Trusts,
carry out the administration of estates and prepare and administer
powers of attorney. All the papers will be processed in your
acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you
kindly forward your letter of acceptance your current telephone and fax
numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at
our High court probate division for the release of this sum of money.
Yours faithfully,
Joe Pullen.
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Anti-fraud resources:
