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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:
- "money orders " (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 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.
- +447045737229 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tonyadams5554@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 19:45:51 +0200
Subject: Job Offer.
Greetings
I am Mr.Tony Adams,and i am the Human Resources Manager for TN FABRICS.We are a
group of business oriented people who deal primarily in screen process and
othersort of textiles.
We are searching for financial payment contractor (Accounts Receivable) for our
company who are willing to work for us from home and get paid weekly without
leaving their present Job.Our clients shall be making payments to us for
supplies in money orders so you shall help in the processing of the payments to
us here in the UK.
Subject to our satisfaction you will be paid 10% on any transaction you are
involved in. Please if you are interested send the following..
1. Full Name
2. Full Address (Inclusive City, State and Zipcode)
3. Telephone No
4. Have you done this kind of Online Job in The Past (Yes/No), If Yes. What was
your Experience?
Thanks In advance
Human Resources Manager
Mr.Tony Adams.
+447045737229
FOR U.S and Canadian Residents Only.
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Anti-fraud resources:
