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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:
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "CAPT. John Clinton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captjohnclinton9@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2015 18:06:29 +0800
Subject: RE: Beloved Greetings/From:Capt Clinton
Beloved Greetings,
Sorry to encroach in to you, I am Capt John Clinton an officer in the U.S. Army and also a West
Point Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Air
Borne Division Peace keeping force currently deployed in Afghanistan.
We were moved to Afghanistan as the last batch just left, and i really
need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military
trunk boxes which has just arrived the USA from the Iraq. I hope you
can be trusted?
I'm sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner. I found you
listed in the DOD Database and I find it pleasurable to offer you my
partnership in business. I only pray at this time that your address is
still valid. I want to solicit your attention to receive money on my
behalf.
You will be rewarded handsomely if you could help me secure the funds
until I conclude my service here. If you can be trusted, I will
explain further when I get a responds from you.
If you can be trusted,I will explain further when i get a response from
you.Nevertheless, reconfirm the following to me as follows.
a) Your full Names...............
(b) Your physical mailing address...........
(c) Your direct telephone numbers.............
(d) Your occupation..........
(e) Your position...............
Please ensure to reply via my private e-mail address:
captjohnclinton8@yandex.com
God Bless America.
CAPT. John Clinton
82nd. Airborne Ranger
Helicopter Attack Company
Pilot In Command (Flight Leader)
UH-1G Gunship
MOS-153A
Iraq 16-2006 to 11-2011
Currently Deployed in Afghanistan
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Anti-fraud resources:
