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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 beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "dr.rex_j@yahoo.cn" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Asha Migiro." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.rex_johnson@yahoo.cn>
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:27:34 -0400
Subject: YOUR MASTERCARD HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR DELIVERY.
Dear Beneficiary,
This is to kindly inform you that UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN PAYMENT has approved your ATM card for delivery to you.
We have verified your contract/inheritance fund file and found out that you have not received your fund $10.5M,you will receive it through ATM CARD,kindly forward your full name,address and direct telephone number to your Claims Administrator Dr Rex Johnson.
Contact Agent's Name: Dr Rex Johnson
Email: dr.rex_j@yahoo.cn
Direct Phone Number: + 360-232-4658
Do reconfirm your details and bear in mind the Cost of delivery of 190GB.pounds, only which is all that is required from you to have your card delivered to you. He will provide you with all necessary information on how to follow due procedures to receive your Valuable Funds.
Secretary UNECA.
Mrs. Asha Migiro.
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Anti-fraud resources:
