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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:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- atmpay09@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "ATM PAYMENT OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmpay09@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 18:01:26 -0800
Subject: =?utf-8?B?U3BhbTogQXR0ZW50aW9uOiBCZW5lZmljaWFyeTogWW91?=
=?utf-8?B?ciBBVE0gVklTQSBDQVJEIGlzIHJlYWR5IGZvciBwaWNrIHVw?=
Attention: Beneficiary
This is to inform you that your ATM VISA CARD has been credited with your fund of $8.5 Million, and we are sorry for the delay in contacting you all this while.The ATM CARD was issued to you as a result of your delayed payment and also as an inheritance of yours.It is ready for use.You are required to provide the ATM department with your information such as
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS:
YOUR PHONE NUMBER:
(There is a delivery fee of $155 for the dispatching of your ATM to you by courier,please take note before forwarding your information). You are advise to contact the ATM department via their email {atmpay09@yahoo.co.jp} for the release of your ATM CARD immediately.
Congratulations once again.
Regards,
Rev. Thomas Barry
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Anti-fraud resources:
