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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:
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "drrexjjj@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: uneca africa <uneca_africa---1@att.net>
Reply-To: drrexjjj@ymail.com
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 14:23:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR MASTERCARD HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR DELIVERY.
Dear Beneficiary,
This is to kindly inform you that UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN PAYMENT has approved
your ATM card for delivery to you.
We have verified your contract/inheritance fund file and found out that you have not received your fund
$10.5M,you will receive it through ATM CARD,kindly forward your full name,address and direct telephone number to your Claims Administrator Dr Rex Johnson.
Contact Agent's Name: Dr Rex Johnson
Email: drrexjjj@ymail.com
Direct Phone Number: +234 807 932 2274.
Do reconfirm your details and bear in mind the Cost of delivery of $185usd only which is all that is required
from you to have your card delivered to you. He will provide you with all necessary information on how to follow due procedures to receive your Valuable Funds.
Secretary UNECA.
Mrs. Asha Migiro.
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Anti-fraud resources:
