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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.
- This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- 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.
- +447024098508 (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.
- wbcexport1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: wbcexport <info@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: wbcexport@grupoiberia.com.bo
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:49:14 -0500
Subject: COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE REQUIRED
I am Mr. Klaus Mueller, President WBC EXPORT UK. We are experts in the
sale of Chemicals & raw materials. We are searching for
representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our
customers in the Canada/America and other nearby countries as well as
making payments through you to us. You do not have to leave your
present job for this one because this job offer will be on a part time
basis as it comes once in a while and remuneration is on a percentage
basis of 10% of the total amount you receive from my customers at any
time on my behalf.
The reason why i seek your assistance is that American and Canadian
checks take a long time to clear here in UK. Thereby holding business
down for me and my associates. Now I already have customers who are
ready to remit cash to me. Please to facilitate the conclusion of this
transaction if accepted, do send me promptly the following information
below by
(1)Your full names:
(2) Contact address:
(3) Tel/cell numbers:
(4) Occupation:
(5) Age:
(6)Sex:
(7)Copy of driving licences or international passport
My private email : wbcexport1@gmail.com
Thank you for your time.
Mr. klaus Mueller
President and CEO WBC Export Service.
Tel: +44-702-409-8508.
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