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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)
- "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- fedexsp@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Mike Walkerman" <mrmikewalkerman@mixcat.com>
Reply-To: <fedexsp@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:16:15 -0700
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX FOR YOUR CHECK OF $800.000.00USD
I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmation of your Bank Draft of $800,000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from you over these couple of weeks. Then I went to the bank to confirm if the draft has expired or getting near to expiring but, Dr.Wilson the Director Of International Transfer UNIT of CITI Bank UK, told me that before the draft will get to your hand that it will not expire.
Please, contact THE CONTROLLER OF
FEDEX MR.THOMPSON BROWN for deliver of your cheque of $800,000.00 through this information below:
Mr Thompson Brown.
Email: fedexsp@sify.com
Tel: TEL:+234 705 500 0827.
Please note that this is your security keeping code number (Fex/12/47433/PCk) and Endeavour to provide them with these information so that they can use it to re-confirm and be sure that you are the rightful person they are suppose to deliver the package to:
Claims Requirements
1. Full Name:.....................................
2. Address:.......................................
3. Nationality:...................................
4. Age:.......... Date of Birth:.................
5. Occupation:.....................................
6. Phone:................ Fax:.....................
7. State of Origin:........... Country:...............
My Regards
Mr. Mike Walkerman.
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