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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "million british pounds" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +447031999613 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Paul Simpson. (ESQ)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <simpsonnewb3@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:10:09 -0600
Subject: Very Urgent Attention Please
Attn: please,
We wish to notify you again that you were listed as a Heir to the total sum of (Five Million British pounds) in the codicil and last testament of our deceased client.
A regular mail was dispatched to you but yet no reply from you. We are contacting you again because the instruction stipulates that this fund should be paid directly to you upon his demise.
We request you to kindly acknowledge officially, enabling us file all necessary legal documents to the paying bank for the urgent release of your inheritance.
Please send an acknowledgment email to enable us process your inheritance.
Yours Truly,
Paul Simpson. (ESQ)
Fenwick Street,
London, W1H 7AL.
United Kingdom
Tel: +447 0319 99613.
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Anti-fraud resources:
