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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "afdb01@globomail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- afdb01@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Kevin Mcgregor" <thadew25w1786@att.net>
Reply-To: afdb01@globomail.com
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2010 08:34:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Your Visa/Atm Card Code:082,
Dear Friend,
It was resolved and agreed that your $1,000.000.00 outstanding inheritance/winning payment will be released to you through our Affliated Bank (AFRICA DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP BENIN REPUBLIC which will issue you a CORPORATE VISA/ATMCARD CARD where your payment will be uploaded.
You are adviced to re-comfirm your contact informations to the Bank with the informations below:MR. UBA JIM,
DIRECTOR FOREIGN OPERATION DEPARTMENT
Email:afdb01@globomail.com OR afdb01@yahoo.fr
Tel :+229-9392-6775
I have paid for the processing and delivery charges.The only Money that your are going to pay to them is only $125 Dollars which they will use to obtain the Affidevit Of Onwership from the Federal High Court Of Benin Republic.
THANKS.
MR.KEVIN MCGREGOR.
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