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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:
- "high court" (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 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.
- rev_dr_paulsmith2@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: REV DR PAUL SMITH <genestam@tin.it>
Reply-To: rev_dr_paulsmith2@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:21:08 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Congratulation master card
For immediate dispatch of this Card, You're Expected To Call Us +229
9942-4800.
We knew is very difficult for you to understand because you have been
long time waiting for your ATM CARD, but right now things are really
work out to your expectation, so you have to understand that your file
has gotten to this office of ATM Swift Card and already finalized all
the necessary arrangement, beside most original Card presently is ATM
MASTER CARD and is being sent from Africa is 95% while visa card is
55%.
Office of ATM Swift Card department wants you to understand that
everything is in order (ECO-WAS HIGH COURT WEST AFRICA) Decided to pay
you via ATM MASTER CARD which worth sum of $1.2 USD
To enable us cover the insurance coverage please include copy of your
identity, for proper reprogramming and activation of your Card pin
number to enable you have access of withdraw once you cash up your ATM
MASTER CARD to avoid further delay.
You’re advice to include you info below
You’re name
You’re country
You’re home address
You’re Tel phone number
You’re office phone number
You’re current occupation
You’re weekly/monthly income
Thanks for you co-operation:
Contact him for more details
Rev Dr Paul Smith
(rev_dr_paulsmith2@yahoo.fr)
Phone +229 9942-4800
Best regards Clara Hurt
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Anti-fraud resources:
