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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:
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- lordfuch@safe-mail.net (Safe-mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: zga.22@att.net
Reply-To: <lordfuch@Safe-mail.net>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 09:30:19 +0100
Subject: attempt 3
MR.LORD FUCH & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM
(MANAGING PARTNER) FUCH & FUCH
SWITZERLAND
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Far-den Bernard . I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered.
I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address stated on the WILL. I wish to notify you that late Gen.Far den Bernard made you a beneficiary to his WILL.
He left the sum of Seven million Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars (USD$7,300,000.00 ) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL.
Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were recommended to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good. Gen. Far den Bernard until his death was a Major and a member of the Helicopter Society and the Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers.
Late Gen. Far den Bernard died at the age of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to support humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy in our society. Please if I reach you this time as I am hopeful, Please endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated as you can reach me privately via the email address: lordfuch@Safe-mail.net only.
Yours in Service,
MR. M FUCH (SAN)
Senior Principal Partner)
lordfuch@Safe-mail.net
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Anti-fraud resources:
