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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- 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.
- charlesjms238@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Williams Michael <w.michael57@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: charlesjms238@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:25:48 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR CHECK IS MR. CHARLES JAMES SO CONTACT HIM NOW.
Hello dear friend,
I have deposited the cheque with Bancarios bank on care of Mr.Charles James as we discussed. Please mail him immediately to send the cheque to you. I am in Columbia now.
I kept USD1.5m cashier cheque and will send you the rest of money after my business trip here.
I send you so many mails but all bounced back.
So mail Mr.Charles James with below email for him to send the cheque to you:
here is his email: (charlesjms238@gmail.com)
or call him at: +229-99355587
Also you have to reconfirm your full information so, to be sure that you are right person that i told him
Your Full Name:
Your Address:
Your Country:
Your City:
Your Occupation:
Your Cell Phone Number
Your Age:
Thanks and do let me know when you receive it.
Best regards.
Mr williams michael.
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