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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)
- 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.
- +447024032674 (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.
- scotttsrichard@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Shell Lotto Award" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <scotttsrichard@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 23:17:31 +0100
Subject: Re: Seasonal Greetings From Shell.
SHELL INTERNATIONAL LTD
Shell Center, London
SE1 7NA England
Greetings,
>From Shell Petroleum
You have just been awarded the sum of $4.5,Million United States Dollars Only which was won by your
E-MAIL Address in our Shell Petroleum Lottery Promotions,Shell Petroleum Lottery Promotions is part of
our social responsibility in line with with our company act as stated in the company act law.
To begin your claim please contact our licensed and accredited agent assigned to you.
INTERNATIONAL VERIFICATION DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Name: Dr Scott Richards
Email: scotttsrichard@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: +447024032674
Fax: +448435583485
Do email the above Claims Administrator, with the claims requirements below.To avoid unnecessary delay.
They are needed to proceed.
Shell Lotto Management.
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Anti-fraud resources:
