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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "foreign payment department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin 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.
- +447031844731 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- mrworkingbenson@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Working Benson" <austlottwinningresult@rogers.com>
Reply-To: mrworkingbenson@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 11:30:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Ref: HSBC/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/9008
My Name is Mr.Working Benson
I am the auditor and head of computing department of a bank here in
United Kingdom. There is an account opened in this bank in 1990 and
since my inception into office in 2001, nobody has operated on this
account again. I took the courage to look for a reliable and honest
person who will be capable for this important transaction. In order to
transfer out 4,000,000.00 (Four
Million Pounds Sterling) .
After going through some old files, I discovered that if i do not
Remit this money out urgently,it will be forfeited for nothing.
Please respond immediately I will use my position and influence to
effect the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your
account with appropriate clearance from foreign payment department.
You will stand to get 40% while 60% will be for me. Kindly quote the
reference (acct) numbers above when responding to this mail .You can
contact through my direct email at (mrworkingbenson@gmail.com)
I will fill you in with further details upon your reply .
Thanks and God bless.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. w Benson
Direct phone number +447031844731
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Anti-fraud resources:
