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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:
- "united state dollar" (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.
- +447011133562 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "VODAFONE AWARD INTERNATIONAL" <lotterycenter@vodafone.com>
Reply-To: lotteryaward@vodafone-inc.com
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 00:34:29 -0300
Subject: Your email address have emerged a Grant of $850,000.00 USD
VODAFONE COMPANY INC.
Ref Num: (VNP 977)
Congratulations to you as we bring to your notice that Vodafone company has
chosen you by the board of trustees as one of the final recipients of this
year promotion cash Grant/Donation to celebrate the 150th anniversary
celebration and your email address have emerged a Grant of {$850,000.00 USD}
Eight hundred and fifty thousand United State Dollars.
Please fill out below information and indicate how you want your funds sent
to you: Either the service of the BANK or COURIER DELIVERY.
1. Full Name:....... 2. Address:........ 3.Nationality:.........
4. Age:.......... 5. Sex:.......... 6. Occupation..........
7. Phone/Fax:......... 8. Present Country:...........
Contact Agent:
Mr. Allan Miller
E-mail: lotteryaward@vodafone-inc.com
Tel: +447011133562
Your Faithfully
Ashley Morrison
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Anti-fraud resources:
