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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:
- "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- brucewilson@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Bruce C. Wilson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <brucewilson@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:06:31 +0200
Subject: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY®
My Name is Bruce Wilson and I am your group regional Instructor for Simon Survey Shoppers Inc.. Henceforth. We are looking for a secret shopper around your city and your wage is $200 per
assignment.
ASSIGNMENT PACKET :
Before any assignment we would provide you with the resources needed {cash} Mostly our company would send you a cheque Money Order which you can cash and use for the assignment. Included to
the check / Money Order would be your assignment packet .Then we would be providing you details on here. But you follow every single information given to you as a secret shopper. So if you are
interested KINDLY Email me the below details to this following Email : brucewilson@sify.com
INFORMATION BELOW TO PROCEED ON FIRST ASSIGNMENT:
Full Legal Name :
Address ( NO PO BOX ):
City :
State :
Zip code :
Country :
Nationality :
Home and Cell #
Alternate Email Address:
I will await your prompt response.
Best Wishes and Regards .
Regional Hiring Manager/ Instructor,
Contact Person: Mr Bruce Wilson
Contact Email Address : brucewilson@sify.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
