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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 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.
- +447053490537 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- drdchmoh002@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Kent Harris <kharrispersonal@maktoob.com>
Reply-To: drdchmoh001@aol.com
Date: Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:09:50 +0200
Subject: the information 04/08/2010
Dear Friend
An American made a fixed deposit of GBP£48.7Million in
my bank branch (Reputable bank in England) where I
am a staff in the audit and operations department.
He is dead and has no known legal and official next of
kin/beneficiary.
HOW THE TRANSACTION CAN BE HANDLED: All the clients
account details and file are in my possession and that
will make it easy for me to legitimately and officially
insert your name as the legal and official
beneficiary/next of kin as regards the funds in our bank.
This process must be backed up with confirmable legal and
official back up documents.
Most importantly, you will be required to:
(1). Act as the original legitimate and official beneficiary
of the funds.
(2). Receive the funds into a business/private bank account
anywhere in the world.
(3). At the completion of this transaction, the sharing rates
shall be 50% for me while 50% for you.
I need to know if you will agree to partner with me in this
business deal.
Warmest Regards,
Kent Harris.
RESPOND ONLY TO drdchmoh002@aol.com
FAX + 44 705 349 0537
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Anti-fraud resources:
