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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- s.dawson@lawyer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- from the desk of sandra d. dawson attorney at law email: s.dawson@lawyer.com dear friend i am very delighted to contact you concerning (Lawyer; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "sandra_dawsonlaw1@libero.it" <sandra_dawsonlaw1@libero.it>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 22:42:22 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Attention: From Sandra D. Dawson
FROM THE DESK OF Sandra D. Dawson
Attorney at law
Email: s.dawson@lawyer.com
Dear Friend
I am very delighted to contact you concerning the estate of a man whom be
related to you because you bear the same last name. He died without a will
leaving behind Fifteen Million Two Hundred thousand United states Dollars
I am contacting you because I want you to claim the estate/ inheritance which
is presently seated in a bank here in London. Please if you are interested
respond immediately with your complete profile for more details which include
your full name, physical address and direct cell number.
Please make sure to send your reply, questions or any comments to (s.
dawson@lawyer.com) for this is very important.
Yours Truly,
Sandra D. Dawson
Please send your response to s.dawson@lawyer.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
