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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:
- "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- goodeze111@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Goodluck Eze" <info@info.net>
Reply-To: goodluckeze111@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:22:25 +0300
Subject: Urgent Attention !!!!
From: Mr. Goodluck Eze
email:goodeze111@yahoo.co.jp
We wish to inform you that the International Monetary Authority (IMA),
World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) after much end of the
year meeting and much deliberation on the inability to pay most African
Europe and Asian International Lottery Winners their winning fund
irrespective of them meeting up with the requirements to receive their
winning prize/award fund, Contract payments and Inheritance.
This is to inform you that The Skye Bank Plc has been mandated to effect
the release of your approved fund US$7M (Seven Million United State
Dollars Only) via ATM Credit Card payment system within 48 hours on
confirmation of your name in which you want to be use in uploading your
ATM and your address where your ATM Card will be delivered to via UPS
courier Services.
You are advised to confirm the following information as soon as possible.
1, YOUR FULL NAME: This is the name that will be in your ATM Card.
2, YOUR ADDRESS: Where your ATM card will be delivered to.
3, YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER.
Thanks.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Goodluck Eze
email:goodeze111@yahoo.co.jp
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