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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:
- "million us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- peter.stone77@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Steven Crowd" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <peter.stone77@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:02:18 +0100
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT SUM
Our Ref: IKG/NG/ICO
Your Ref: 1470
10th March 2010
Dear Valued iKobo Visa Card Beneficiary ,
IKobo is a company that specializes in money transfer through Visa Card. As part of our commitment in bringing our services to the world, iKobo wishes to announce to you that your email emerged as one of the lucky winners to receive a grant of 2.5 million US Dollars.
This fund would be made available to you through an iKobo Visa card. We have concluded plans to deliver this card to you as soon as possible. If you are interested in claiming your prize, please contact the Visa card dispatch center via email with the following details:
CONTACT PERSON.
Funds Remittance Department
Name: Pete Stone.
E-mail: peter.stone77@yahoo.com.hk
Also reconfirm that your data below is correct.
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
As soon as we receive the above details we shall immediately proceed with the delivery of your card. You have to stop communication with any other person(s) or office (s) to avoid hitches in receiving your payment of $2.5 Million Through our Visa Card. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Please Note: You will be required to pay the sum of $220 only for delivery fees of your iKobo Visa Card and after it is effected your card will get to your location within the next 24hrs.
Kindest Regards,
Steven Crowd
Director Of Foreign Operations.
www.ikobo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
