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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "my names are " (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.
- +447024020878 (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.
- mr.andrewhiggins@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Andrew" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.andrewhiggins@sify.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2010 01:35:13 -0700
Subject: Hi !!!
Dear Friend,
My Names are ANDREW HIGGINS former credit manager of SNS BANK (www.snsbank.nl) Netherlands Branch.
I am presently working with Natwest Bank here in England.
I have a proposal to discuss with you about a certain bonded account in the Bank where I work for presently. Please contact me through
email for more details as regards the Bonded account in our Bank. My contact with you as regards the Bonded account will be beneficial to
all parties concerned. I chose to make contacts with you on this due to you share the same family name with the Bonded account.
N/B, Please contact me immediately through my private email:
mr.andrewhiggins@sify.com
Regards,
ANDREW HIGGINS
# +44 702 402 0878
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Anti-fraud resources:
