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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:
- "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: RE: YOUR MATURE BANK FIXED DEPOSIT
Reply-To: regencybnz@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 07:38:58 -0800
Subject: RE: YOUR MATURE BANK FIXED DEPOSIT
Regency Chambers
64 High Street Lewes East Sussex
BN7 1XG DX: 50250 Lewes 4
Tel: 01273 480510
Mobile: Tel: +UK (44) 73410036021
US: (253) 655-0217
RE: YOUR MATURE BANK FIXED DEPOSIT
I write to notify you that the fixed deposit account in your name with a maturity date of February 16th 2015 is now available to be activated for withdrawals/transfers.
In light of recent developments and meetings, held with the directors of the bank I have decided to irrevocably grant you full access and control of the account.
Kindly contact me for a more detailed account information and activation procedures.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Ronche James
Regency Chambers
64 High Street Lewes East Sussex
BN7 1XG DX: 50250 Lewes 4
Tel: 01273 480510
Mobile: Tel: +UK (44) 73410036021
US: +1 (253) 655-0217
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Anti-fraud resources:
