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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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 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!
- 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.
- webexconsults@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- webex incorporation s.a tel:0034 664 170 816 email:webexconsults@aim.com email:webexconsultsa@aim.com (Aim; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Urgent Information <edwards@nu.ac.th>
Reply-To: <webexconsultsa@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:23:44 -0700
Subject: From Webex Vice President Desk (claim your prize)
Dear Beneficiary
Your email address emerged alongside 9 others as a category A winner in the Webex Incorporations Email Programme Draw. It is a promotional program aimed at
encouraging internet users; therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it .You email Won US$950,000.(Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only).You must contact the appointed agent
with your contact Information:-
***********************************************************
Your Full Name:
Your Home Address:
Your Sex/Age:
Your Occupation:
Your Nationality:
Your Telephone/Mobile/Fax:
Your Winning Email:-
***********************************************************
The Webex Incorporations Lottery Program internet draw is held once in a yearand is so organized to encourage the use of the internet and computers
worldwide. We are proud to say that over 200 Million United States Dollars are won annually in more than 150 countries worldwide.
To claim your winning prize as possible for the immediate release of your winnings:
*************************************************
Mr.Derek White
WEBEX INCORPORATION S.A
Tel:0034 664 170 816
Email:webexconsults@aim.com
EMAIL:webexconsultsa@aim.com
*************************************************
Please be aware that the PAYING BANK will Effect Payment Swiftly upon satisfactory Report,Verifications and validation provided by this fiduciaryagent.
For security reasons, you are advised to keep your winning information confidential till your claims is processed and your money remitted to you.
Sincerely Yours,
Mrs.Anita Alicante.
(Co-ordinator Board.)
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Anti-fraud resources:
