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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 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- mrs.veraoffice001@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Fondazione Di Vittorio,ITALY" <award@fdv.org>
Reply-To: mrs.veraoffice001@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:53:53 +0700
Subject: WINNING CONFIRMATION DETAIL 2010!!
THE ITALIAN FOUNDATION FOR BASIC RESEARCH.
http://www.fondazionedivittorio.it
The Italian Foundation for basic research would like to notify you
that you have been chosen by the Board of trustees of the
Above International charity organization as one of the recipients
of a Cash Grant Donation of $700,000.00 USD(Seven
Hundred thousand United States dollars only) for your own personal
use and business development plans in your country and these
Specific Donations/Grants will be awarded to 100 lucky international
recipients worldwide.
(Note that all beneficiaries email addresses were selected randomly from
over 100,000 Internet websites or a shop's cash invoice around your area
in which you might have purchased something from).
Executive Secretary: Mrs. Vera Alberto
Email: mrs.veraoffice001@yahoo.com.hk
Required details as to enable us process your grant funds
of($700,000.00 USD).
FULL NAMES:__________________________________
ADDRESS: _________________________________________________
CITY:_________________________
STATE:__________________________________ ZIP: ______________
COUNTRY/NATIONALITY________________________________
SEX:_______________
AGE:__________________
MARITAL STATUS:_________________
OCCUPATION:________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER:_____________________
On behalf of the Board, kindly accept our warmest congratulations.
Regards.
Mrs. Pulvic Laura Sidigo
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Anti-fraud resources:
