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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:
- "hundred thousand american 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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- gerald3walter@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "=====GERALD WALTER&CO=====" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gerald3walter@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:22:49 -0400
Subject: xxx=x=x=Gerald Walter&CO=x=xxxx24/06
THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of $11,300,000.00 (Eleven million One hundred thousand american dollars)in
the codicil and last testament of the deceased.(Name now withheld since this is our
second letter to you).
I contacted you because you bear the surname identity and therefore can present you as
the beneficiary to the inheritance. I therefore reckoned that you can receive
these funds as you are qualified by your name identity.
To verify these funds in escrow, please call the Automated Number of the
Bank and follow the prompt:
Call: +1 (917) 472-1925
Pass code: 4262
Account Number: 0221077410248
Pin: 2388
All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your
acceptance of this deal,
I request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance; your
current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary
documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money.
Get back to me through the following contact mail address:gerald3walter@aol.com
Yours faithfully,
Gerald Walter
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