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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:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "overseas claims unit" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "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)
- "claimagent@americalttry.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "The American Soccer Lottery" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <claimagent@americalttry.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:10:55 +0200
Subject: Congratulations! you have been awarded with the Sum of ($300,000.00).
The American Soccer Lottery
Soccer Lottery Corporation
250 Williams Street
Suite 3000
Atlanta, GA 30303
U S A.
Congratulations!
We are obliged to inform you that you have been awarded with the Sum of ($300,000.00).This benefit is from the internet random ballot that was held in United State and your email address were among the selection that partispated the random draw on the 22nd April 2010 and Ten Winners where awarded with the Sum of Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars and you are among.
You are required as a matter of urgency to contact our Paying Agent immediately for further details in regards to this Winning notice and furnish them with the following details:
Mode of Payment preferred:
Direct Phone/Cell Number
Your Full Name
Occupation
Address
Age
Sex
Contact our Paying Agent below:
Overseas Claims Unit
London Fiduciary Agent for American Lotto Promotions.
Name: Mr Stephen Tunley
Email: claimagent@americalttry.com
You are also welcome to call our HOTLINE on +16315321922, +447011139385, between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. GMT.
Fax: +448447741362
You are required to comply with their given directives.
Be rest assured.
Regards,
Mrs.Rose Mosa
Online Director (American Soccer Lottery Committee UK).
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Anti-fraud resources:
