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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- 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.
- markchamber_office1@yahoo.dk (Yahoo, Denmark; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Lauren Baillie <video@metromech.co.uk>
Reply-To: <mark.chamber@y7mail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 03:48:48 +0100
Subject: Contact Him Immediately !!!
Hello Dear Friend,
How are you today and hope you still remember me? I sent you an email regarding
a mufti-million-dollar's business proposal which we never concluded. I need to
inform you that the mufti-million-dollar business has been concluded with a
Greek Merchant who financed it to a logical conclusion.
Thank's for your effort towards our unfinished transfer into your account due to
the problem you hard in receiving your fund. The United Nations compensation
program is still on and your NAME has been sent to their office because of your
sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you have show during the course of the
transaction.
To this effect, You have been compensated with the sum of Eight hundred and
fifty thousand united states dollars which will be transferred to you
immediately you contact our Lawyer Mr.Mark Newton so as to proceed with your
payment.
Contact person: Mr.Mark Newton
Email: markchamber@y7mail.com
markchamber_office1@yahoo.dk
marknewton75@xd.ae
+2348183482327
Please note: Full Name, telephone number and contact address is needed for
reference before the release of Bank Draft to you like instructed him.
We await your urgent response.
Best Regards,
Mrs Lauren Baillie
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