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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- slsldouglas@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "SL Douglas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Slsldouglas@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2014 02:49:42 +0200
Subject: Your Inheritance Fund.
Good Day.
I am a member of the auditing team at OCBC Bank Singapore though you were listed as a beneficiary to the total sum of $22.2M USD (Twenty-Two Million Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars) of a deceased who may relate to you (perhaps) in Singapore died couple of years ago in Tsunami tragedy in Indonesia (name withheld for security reason) who died interstate with no Will or Next of Kin.
To maintain the level of security required I have intentionally left out the final details.
I urge you to come forward since I can provide you with the details needed for you to claim the estate/capital so that we can be gratify by you,
we intend to offer you 35% and 60% for us and the remaining 5% for miscellaneous expenses incurred during the cost of this mutual project though my colleagues and I will do all the crucial part in the bank to have the inheritance claim release to you promptly.
All the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance of this mutual beneficial project,
I hereby requested that you kindly forward to my private email (Slsldouglas@yahoo.co.jp) a letter of acceptance; your full name, home address,
current telephone, passport or driver’s license to enable us prepare the necessary bank papers to effect the quick release of the inheritance funds to your nominated bank account
I wait in anticipation for your fullest cooperation.
Sincerely,
SL Douglas
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