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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:
- "you are advice 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 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.
- +447035985696 (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.
- mrsgoh.kimwan@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ASIA PACIFIC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsgohkimwan@asia.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2011 13:25:40 +0800
Subject: Personal Communication Code Is "643"
OUR REF: 0012/BHC/FBI/ATM/2011
We wish to bring to your notice that your email was listed by the British Financial Intelligent Unit (BFIU) for these exercise of compensating scammed victims, those listed some have been endorsed by the ASIA PACIFIC in Malaysia yours was among those reported unpaid as at today and we wish to instruct you to see the instruction of the commission to make sure you receive you compensation instantaneously as a beneficiary of $2.6 Million USD. Accredited on an ATM Card.
Kindly forward your information to the email address below:
Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Country:
Phone Number:
Occupation:
Sex/Age:
Verification Code: ATM-ASIA701
Scan copy of ID or Driver License:
Mrs.Goh Kim Wan
Contact Email: mrsgoh.kimwan@usa.com
Note: Your Personal Communication Code With Mrs.Goh Kim Wan Is "643" You Are Advice To Send Your Full Details as requested to the British Financial Intelligent Unit (BFIU) International Remittance Director Headed By Dr.Yip Chyau Feng And Make Sure You Speak With Him, for The Release Of Your ATM CARD.
Immediately the above details are received and validated, your payment will be processed within 48hours.
In Service
Dr.Yip Chyau Feng
Tel : +447035985696 (Call for verification 24hrs)
Chairman, Committee on ATM-CARD Payment
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Anti-fraud resources:
