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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:
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- pratt_felix@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Felix Pratt <agnesodartey@gmail.com>
Reply-To: pratt_felix@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 10:58:00 +0000
Subject: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Hello,
Let this message not come as a surprise to you. I am aware that the
internet has been misused or abuse for nefarious schemes by a tiny
population. But it remains the fastest, easiest and safest method of
sending messages. Corporate organizations such as banks and well
intentioned individuals use the internet to transact and conclude
genuine businesses. Hence I had to use it as a form of
communication to reach you. I wish to notify you again that you were
listed as a beneficiary of fund (amount withheld) in a bank in the
intent of the deceased (name now withheld since this is our second
letter to you).
I have emailed you earlier without a response and sent this same
letter to your mailing address (But I guess I got your mailing address
wrong). In my first email I mentioned about my late client whose
relatives I cannot get in touch with. I am contacting you because you
have the same surname identity and therefore I can present you as the
beneficiary to the fund since there is no written will by
our late client. I am compelled to do this because I would not want
the bank to return the funds into the bank treasury as unclaimed
inheritance.
All the papers will be processed in your acceptance of this
transaction, I request that you kindly forward to us your letter of
acceptance, your full name, your current telephone and fax numbers and
a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at our
high court probate division for the release of this sum of money in
your favor.
Send your contact details to me via email address: pratt_felix@yahoo.com.hk
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Felix Pratt
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