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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)
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- 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.
- lfisher@terra.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Louis Fisher (ESQ)" <lfisher3210@att.net>
Reply-To: lfisher@terra.com
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:49:16 -0600
Subject: a partnership request
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Louis Fisher, a Canadian attorney based here in United
Kingdom .I am reaching out to you in respect of an investment opportunity.
I am soliciting your assistance in repatriating the funds and property left
behind by my late client before it is declared unserviceable by the bank
where the huge deposit is lodged and confiscated by the government.
On the 3rd day of January 2004, my client and his wife along with their two
children were among the victims of Boeing 737 Egyptian Airliner that crashed
into the Red Sea. You can read more about the crash by visiting this website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3365769.stm
Do note that your identity or country of origin does not matter. I will give
you more information upon your response.
If this proposal is acceptable to you, kindly email your following
information to me:
A. Private telephone and fax numbers.
B. Your postal/residential address.
C. Identification/Occupation.
I humbly look forward to your soonest response either through mail or you can
reach me directly via; +447924710981.
Email: lfisher@terra.com
Yours Faithfully,
Louis Fisher Esq.
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Anti-fraud resources:
