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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "i will advice you " (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 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.
- dr.rafael.debola@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Roy Okuma" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.rafael.debola@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:58:01 +0100
Subject: Contact For Payment!!!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I'am from New York Usa. I saw your name and contact information from the payee board list at the bank board meetings when i attend the all committee
customer's payment funds under the banking authority. I saw your name and e-mail on the list of those who haven't receive their fund and you have been
scammed by some internet fraudster/scammer. You are a victims of these and for you to receive your payment immediately.
I will advice you to consult this officer who was in-charge of foreigner department on over-due payment. This is the officer information;
Name: Dr. Rafael Debola
E-mail: (dr.rafael.debola@gmail.com)
Tel: +13155199675
Also, i want to tell you that you have to stop contacting those fraudster because they get rids of your welts from you and am directing you to the real and
trust worthy person who help me also to receive my huge funds from the bank and some others people who have their money in vault and hold. You have to
produce all his requirements in time for you to receive the funds and am sure that he will help you with everything. Have it in mind that he doesn't request
for any money or fee from you.
Important:- Your over-due outstanding payment remain with the Ministry of Finace, not those who promise to transfer it to you or ship it to Spain. They are
scammer, you have waste your money to them. Contact Dr. Rafael now for the release of your funds.
Thanks,
Mr. Roy Okuma.
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