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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.
Fraud email example:
From: FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT <cdolores@uagro.mx>
Reply-To: "Darl V.G - Verification Desk" <darlg_urd@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 17:08:10 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Attn: In Your Notice!!
OUR REF: FOD/ATM/9895
YOUR REF: CLAIMS/ATM/9895
This is to officially inform you that (ATM Card Number 048500101775550) has
been accredited in your favor. ATM Card Value is çž¿500,000.00 GBP (Five Hundred
Thousand,Great British Pounds). With Personal Identification Number is 9895.
This is in bid to compensate you as your are next in on our Disbursement file
for the beginning of the second quarter of the fiscal year 2010.
We apologize, for the delays of your payment and all inconveniences that we
might have indulged you.
We therefore want you to receive these funds as you are qualified by your name
and identity but we need to cross reference your datas our data base to be sure
that you are the rightful beneficiary of this Disbursement.
All Legal proceedings will be processed as soon as we hear from you with the
below for verification and claims;
Full Name...........
Delivery Address....
Country.............
Occupation..........
Tel / Fax...........
Age.................
sex.................
Forward the above details to the desk of the verification officer; Mrs. Darl
Gowan via Email: (darlg_urd@live.com)
Also; a scanned means of identification is necessary; Drivers License /
International Passport.
Regards,
Dean Mason. For;
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
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Anti-fraud resources:
