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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",500,000" (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)
- "zurichmgtservs@mail.mn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
Fraud email example:
From: "LOTTO Rheinland-Pfalz Gmbh\." <lrp.mgt1@libero.it>
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 08:30:25 +0200
Subject: Lotto Win Notification
LOTTO Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH.
Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Strasse 2.
DE-56073 Koblenz,
Rheinland-Pfalz,
Germany.
Official Win Notice.
This is to formally inform you that your email identity emerged winner of 2,500,000 EUR in LOTTO Rheinland-Pfalz Gmbh online draws which was conducted last week. Your email address was attached to serial number: 07-5693 and winning numbers: 30-32-24-12-31-17
Please contact Mr. Walters Fehlman of the Paying insurance company with details below;
Walters Fehlman
Professional & Risk Manager
Zurich Management Services Limited
Email: zurichmgtservs@mail.mn
For more information and details.
To avoid unnecessary complications or delay, endeavor to quote your reference and batch numbers in every correspondence with your claims agent.
Regards
Hans-Peters Schossler
Promotions Director
LOTTO Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH.
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Anti-fraud resources:
