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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:
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "chambers" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Capt Anthony John <paymentoffice45@gmail.com>
Reply-To: captanthonyjohn5@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 03:05:54 +0000
Subject: Greetings
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Greetings
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner,I found you listed
in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Iraq, I find it
pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business.I only pray at this
time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to
receive money on my behalf.
I am Capt. John Anthony, an officer in the US Army, and also a West Point
Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Air Borne Division
Peace keeping force in Baghdad, Iraq.So send me your info Name:
address:Telephone
I am on the move to Afghanistan from Iraq as the last batch just left,and i
really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military
trunk boxes which has just arrived the USA from the Iraq.I hope you can be
trusted? Kindly view this news blog below for some info
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm if you can be trusted will explain
further when i get a response from you.
waiting for your early reply
Best regards.
Capt Anthony John
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Anti-fraud resources:
