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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- 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.
- +2348058609987 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- chevron.texacopromo1@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "" <san_ostrava@iol.cz>
Reply-To: chevron.texacopromo1@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:48:05 GMT
Subject: YOU HAVE WON($1,000,000.00 USD)!!
THE CHEVRON/TEXACO OFFICIAL PRIZE NOTIFICATION.
You have been selected in the on-going Chevron/Texaco award held this
October 2008. We the promo board are pleased to inform you that you
alongside four(4) other lucky winners have been approved for a payment
of $1,000,000.00 USD. (One Million Dollars) in cash.
If you did receive this email, it means you are one of the five(5)
luckywinners. Your verification number is: (CT-222-6747,FGN/P-900-56).
CLAIMS PROCESSING OFFICER:
Name:Mr.Patrick Chan
Email: chevron.texacopromo1@yahoo.com.hk
Phone: +23480-586-09987
You are also advised to provide him with the under listed information
assoon as possible:
NAME IN FULL:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
AGE:
NATIONALITY:
COUNTRY:
PHONE:
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Rose Wood.
Online Co-ordinator.
Anti-fraud resources:
