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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:
- "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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- 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.
- automatic_teller_machine99@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- 705 949 7675 (west africa office) e-mail: automatic_teller_machine99@yahoo.com.hk accredited atm card(231) awarded for contract payment (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "ATM-CARD APPROVED" <info@atm.org>
Reply-To: automatic_teller_machine99@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:26:28 -0500
Subject: Resolution Panel On Contract Payment
Senate House®
---DEPUIS 1725---
276xc Committee On foreign Payment,
Resolution Panel On Contract Payment.
Ikoyi-Lagos Nigeria
Your Ref #:ATM/LAG/NG
Phone :+234 705 949 7675
(West Africa Office)
E-mail: automatic_teller_machine99@yahoo.com.hk
Accredited ATM Card(231) awarded for contract payment of $500,000.00 USD
USD. with Card Number; 4278763100030014 has been allocated in your
favour, contact Prof. Amandu Charles Esq ( aassstnt@aol.com )with the
following information's;
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE:NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
SEX:
AGE:
Best Regards,
Senator David Mark
WARNING!!!
ANY MAIL RECIEVED OF THIS SUCH WITH ANY OTHER TRADE MARK OR ADDRESS SHOULD BE
FOWARDED TO YOUR Senate House IMMEDIATELY; THIS WILL HELP US TO FIGHT
SCAM AND LOTTERY IMPOSTERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO- OPERATION
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Anti-fraud resources:
