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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "mary.wyckoff@globomail.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 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.
- secretaryoffice7@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Mary Wyckoff" <mary.wyckoff@globomail.com>
Reply-To: margaret.w@globomail.com
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:25:00 -0300
Subject: Global Seminar Invitation Letter
Dear Sir/Madam
Warm greetings from Global Foundation for Peace Building Washington DC
U.S.A! On
behalf of the (GFPB) it is my privilege to invite you and your
colleagues to the
two weeks international seminar event on ?health security and social welfare?
from 21st to 25th November, 2011 at the DC guest House U.S.A and from 28th
November to 2nd December, 2011 at Hawa Mansa Hotel Dakar Senegal. This global
seminar will include more than 350 participants representing different
countries
allover the world. It is our sincere hope that you will be able to attend this
seminar as our special guest. The seminar will contain various talks and mini
workshops related to the issues of importance of health security and social
welfare in our society.
The sponsors will cover the cost of your round-trip airfare on a direct flight
at the most economical fare for both countries and back to your country of
resident. We will provide your visa arrangement, and your transportation from
the international airport to the seminar venues. Hotel accommodation will be
your own responsibility at Dakar Senegal. Please RSVP by sending your
completed
details bellow and the scan copy of your passport at your very earliest
convenience to the seminar secretariat office via Email:
secretaryoffice7@aol.com
If you have any questions or concerns, please inform the Seminar Secretariat
when sending your details for registration.
1. Full Name:
2. Passport Number:
3. Date of Birth:
4. Place of Birth:
5. Country of Resident:
6. Occupation:
7. Personal Email:
I am looking forward to your honorable presence.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Mary Wyckoff
Program Coordinator
mary.wyckoff@globomail.com
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