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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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: BARRISTER ANDERSON SMITH <barrister.anderson83@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barrister_anderson83@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:03:37 +0000
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE RESPOND
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.** *
You might never remember we had a transaction that is almost concluded but
you just don't care anymore.Well i have been a man that do not leave things
unfinished and i intend to bring happiness to your family.I told you to
send a particular amount on your transfer with Halifax Bank London but you
never responded to me in regards to that.Finally i have been able to come
up with some of the money and as we speak i am in London England to make
sure this transfer is concluded as scheduled.During this past weekend i had
a meeting with the bank officials and they assured me that this transfer
will be concluded this week but i also need to hear from you to confirm you
are still interested and that you are ready to complete your transfer.I
believe you should give this benefit of doubt and if i was not sure of this
transfer i would not have travelled to Africa to come here for this
transfer.I took the decision so as to avoid any surprises and to make sure
that this is the last payment on this transfer.I would be in the bank and
confirm with them that this is the last and confirm they have clicked the
send button for your transfer.
Please all i need from you now is to indicate if you are still interested
and we will combine to sort the finances which is relatively small.BELIEVE
IN ME MY FRIEND.
Yours In Service,
*BARRISTER. ANDERSON SMITH.
Senior Advocate.*
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Anti-fraud resources:
