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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:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- partnership.financehouse@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: " MRS. COLLEEN MIDDLETON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <partnership.financehouse@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 20:33:00 +0100
Subject: Notification of Payment Via ATM Visa Card
release of your ATM VISA CREDIT CARD for immediate delivery to you.
Contact Mr. EDWIN THOMPSON directly for Guidelines on how to Submit of your
Security Keeping Fees, and commence Delivery of your ATM VISA CREDIT CARD
Winning
Fund.
Mr. EDWIN THOMPSON.
Email: partnership.financehouse@yahoo.com.hk
Tel/Fax: +234-8028398726
Kindly re-confirm your details to him for verification, and make sure your
residential address is provided correctly, to avoid any atom of mistake
durring delivery process of your ATM VISA CREDIT CARD, so as to facilitate
the immediate release of your ATM CARD immediately as soon as you comply
with the requirement.
(1) Your Full Name ..................
(2) Full Residential Address.............(P.O.BOX NOT ALLOWED)
(3) Direct and Current Phone ...........
(4) Nationalty ..........................
(5) Present Country ................
As soon as your details are submitted, you shall be advised accordingly by
our security department officer Mr.EDWIN THOMPSON)
Our ATM CODE of conduct is ( ATM 101 ). Make sure you specify this Code on
your subject when Contacting our Security Department (Mr.EDWIN THOMPSON) for
delivery of your ATM VISA CREDIT CARD.
Your Safety is 100% Guaranteed.
Thanks for your maximum co-operation.
MRS. COLLEEN MIDDLETON
ATM Visa Card Department
International ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTRE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
