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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +447035951584 (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.
- bbarton@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "De LLyod Solicitors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benbarton@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:22:07 +0100
Subject: Information
Hello,
I am a legal luminary practising with a reputable law firm in the United Kingdom. I got
your contact through the Public Sector Information. There is a possibility
that you can stand as a beneficiary to my late client a national from your country
whom i owe a legal obligation.
I may still be able to work out modalities for transferring his estates still under my custody and funds still
deposited in a financial institution in your name as beneficiary so all heredity may be in your favor. If you can stand as beneficiary, I will pronounce you as the legal beneficiary and process change of ownership status to enable the funds and estates be transferred to your name; In this case, I will have to come into a direct arrangement and split the
funds when released to you on a fifty-fifty basis.
The detailed total amount in deposit cannot be stated in this mail until you will provide a more direct means of communicating by either fax or phone so we can be sure to go into the claims arrangement.
I want to insist that I transact with you directly, so do provide your number and I shall call you immediately I receive your response and provide you with the details. I expect you to indicate your interest in going further.
I look forward to your quick and reply in my private email: bbarton@rediffmail.com
Sincerely,
Barrister: Ben Barton
Tel:+44-70359-51584
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