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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:
- "million 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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- +447012995764 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- frankwilliams704@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Frank Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankwilliams704@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 17:09:22 -0700
Subject: Dear Partner
Dear Partner,
My name is Frank Williams, the chief corporate investment banker of a bank in United Kingdom.
I most solicit your confidence in what I am about to tell you. This is by virtue of it’s nature as
being highly confidential and urgent.
I am looking for a reliable and reputable person to handle a confidential business transaction.
A leading businessman and statesman, a citizen of your country until his death, he banked and
had a closing balance of Eighteen Million United States Dollars in a fixed deposit account.
Which the bank unquestionably expects to be claimed by any available foreign next of kin to
the late beneficiary. Also I would want us to invest this fund in your country on properties, hotel
or any lucrative business as you may choose. I would like to discuss with you in regards to this
deal. In your reply please tell me more about yourself and include your telephone number for easy
communication. Email:- frankwilliams704@hotmail.com Tel: +447012995764
Best Regards
Frank Williams
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