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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- agency_agency@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- agent officer direct line: +22996608825 contact email: agency_agency@sify.com or agency_agency1@sify.com you are required to comply (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Online Director info <sweetpea6124@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: agency_agency@sify.com
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:26:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: National Lottery Committee
National Lottery Committee
P O Box 1010 London city,
L701LN, UNITED KINGDOM
Congratulations!
We are obliged to inform you that you have been awarded with the Sum of Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand Great Britain Pound Sterling(950,000.00 GBP).This benefit is from the UK National Lottery Committee on our internet random ballot that was conducted here in United Kingdom and your email adress were among the selection that partispated the random draw on the 30th March 2010 and Ten Winners where awarded with the Sum of Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand Great Britain Pounds Sterling and you are among the lucky winners.
You are required as a matter of urgency to contact our Paying Agent Mr. Joseph Riggar immediately for further details in regards to this Winning notice and furnish them with the following details:
Direct Phone/Cell Number...........
Your Full Name.........
Occupation........
Address........
Age......
Sex.....
Contact our Paying Agent below:
Office: Agent Office Africa
Contact Name: Joseph Riggar
Position: Agent officer
Direct Line: +22996608825
Contact Email: agency_agency@sify.com Or agency_agency1@sify.com
You are required to comply with the given directives.
Be rest assured.
Regards,
Mrs.Rose Moore
Online Director
National Lottery Committee UK
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Anti-fraud resources:
