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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "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)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
Fraud email example:
From: "EXXON MOBIL MALAYSIA" <info@exxonmobil.com>
Reply-To: exxonmobildept@gsjm.net
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:33:07 +0800
Subject: Reference Number: UK455/Gk565/FR101
EXXON MOBIL MALAYSIA.
(Customer Services)
Dear Lucky winner,
*********************
This email is to inform you that your Email emerged you a winner of $500,000.00 US
Dollars on our online draws which was played on the 22nd February 2011. This draw is
part of our yearly Bonus to all internet users in order to enhance and promote the use
of Internet Explorer Users and Microsoft-wares buyers around the globe. The selection
process was carried out randomly through our computerized email selection system Which
Consequently pick up your email address attached to a Reference Number: UK455/Gk565/
FR101 and Batch Number: FR3435/420NK for the draw and won you ($500,000.00 US Dollars)
in the 2nd category B Matches 5 Bonus. It was selected along with others as winners.
You have therefore been approved by the EXXON MOBIL Corporation MALAYSIA Payment
Service to claim a total sum of $500,000.00 US Dollars only in Cash check credited to
file UNL/45657/6523/10; your particulars have been Documented for record purposes.
CLAIMS RELEASE VERIFICATION FORM
1. Full Names: ______________________________
2. Marital Status: __________________________
3. Sex: ________________ Age: _______________
4. Occupation: ______________________________
5. Full Address: ____________________________
6. Nationality: _____________________________
7. Country of Residence: ____________________
8. Tel Number: _________ Mobile: ____________
Please include your complete winning details.
With regards to this, you are to send filled copy of the above claims release
verification form to the Approved Claims Department Email Address for verification
purpose by them before the delivery of your WINNING FUNDS/PARCEL can be delivered to
your destination residential house address provide above to them. Below are the Agent
contact information:
Claims Agent: Mr. Akmar Ajib
Tel: +60166126637
Email: exxonmobildept@gsjm.net
Yours Truly,
Mrs.Aish'a Mohd Raffik
Co-ordinator Online Promo Programmed.
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Anti-fraud resources:
