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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- +2348071304903 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Frank Johnson." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drfrankjohnson20@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:26:16 -0000
Subject: From The Desk Of Dr Frank Johnson................
>From The Desk Of Dr Frank Johnson.
Director Inter-switch Unit.
Direct Tel:+234-807-130-4903
Attention Beneficiary,
Based on our investigation of your payment, we want to find out if you're still alive or did you sign any deed of assignment with (Grace
Jackson) to receive your fund,reply to us with:
Your Names:
Your Home/Office Address:
Your Phone #
Your Occupation:
Your Age/Sex:
This is because $8.6 Million has been approved in your favor for payment so get the above information to us fast unfailingly today or your
fund will be released to Mrs. Grace Jackson.
Best Regards,
Dr Frank Johnson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
