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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +447045776285 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "HM Treasury Correspondence and Enquiry Unit"
<britishintelligence@britain.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:23:51 +0100 (CET)
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
I am writing in collaboration with the Trustees and Executor of the Estate of Late Michael Anderson. .I wish to notify you that Late Michael Anderson made you a beneficiary to his will.
He left the sum of Thirty One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.($31,500,000.00 ) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.
This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true.Late Michael Anderson until his death was a very dedicated Christian who loved to give out. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time. Late Michael Anderson died at the age of 82 years.
According to him this money is to support your activities and to help the poor and the needy.He also wants you to use this fund to sponsor charity organizations all over the world.
You are required to fill the information below for reconfirmation and more directives :
1.Full Name
2.Telephone number
3.Age
4.contact address/Country
5.occupation
Yours In service
Barrister Williams Kings(Esq)
TEL:+447045776285
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Anti-fraud resources:
