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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.
- 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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 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.
- paulwilliams22@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "BARRISTER PAUL WILLIAMS" <paulwilliams@sify.com>
Reply-To: paulwilliams22@sify.com
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:03:21 +0530
Subject: NEXT OF KIN
Attn:Sir/Madam,
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of 10,600,000.00GBP (Ten Million Six Hundred Thousand British
Pounds) inthe codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now
withheld since this is our second letter to you).
We contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can
present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance. We therefore reckoned
that youcould receive this fund as you are qualified by your name
identity. All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance.
In your acceptance of this deal, we request that you kindly forward to us
your letter of acceptance; your current telephone and fax numbers and a
forwardingaddress to enable us file necessary documents at our high court
probate division for the release of this sum of money.Please get back to
me ASAP so as to get this done immediately: E-mail:
paulwilliams22@sify.com
Yours faithfully,
BARRISTER PAUL WILLIAMS
TELL+ 234 7092572268
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This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content and is believed to be clean.
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