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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Hillary Benson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrhillarybenson@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:45:20 +0100
Subject: Please Reply
Dear Friend
This is my second letter to you, once more my name is Mr.Hillary Benson, I received a letter from a bank here requesting for the next of kin to my deceased client. The Letter stated that he made fixed deposit of some certain amount of money last three years before his death. The bank is aware of his death though he was not married neither did he leave a "WILL" nor Specified next of kin, the bank is anticipating someone with the same surname (last name) to come along for the claims. As it is now, no one can put up claims except someone with the same surname and specifically referred from my office.
All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit that you allow me introduce you as his relative based on the fact that you have the same surname with him. He was aged 56. He lived and worked here as a foreigner and requested to be buried here.
Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further details and certain other documents to enable you contact the bank for release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the bank manager on this matter extensively and he is waiting for your introduction to the bank according to his directives.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law and will brief you more on the details upon your response. Furthermore you should endeavor to include the following information.
1; Your Full Name
2; Your direct telephone.
3; Your age
4; Contact address
5; Gender as well as your occupation
Please if you are interested reply and notify me immediately as you are the only one I have contacted for this to enable me make an alternative arrangement if the need should arise.
Thanks,
Mr. Hillary Benson
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Anti-fraud resources:
