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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barrister_stanleyrodney@accountant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Stanley Rodney." <copier@completestaffingsolutions.com>
Reply-To: barrister_stanleyrodney@accountant.com
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:54:52 +0300
Subject: TRUST.
Attention :
I am Stanley Rodney a solicitor at law. I am the personal Attorney to Late
Engineer. a national of your country, who lived here in South Africa,
Hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.
On the 21st of April 2013, my client was involved in a car accident along
Gauteng Freeway. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their
lives.
I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable
by the bank where this huge deposit was lodged.
Particularly, The Bank of North West and finance company where the
deceased had an account valued at about 40 million dollars has issued me a
notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years
now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account
valued at 40 million dollars can be paid to you.
If you agree we can discuss your percentage. I have all necessary legal
documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.
All i require is your honest Co-operation to enable us see this deal
through. NB: I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get
back to me at your earliest convenience so I can send you more
information. Thanks and have a wonderful Week. Please your response should
be sent to (barrister_stanleyrodney@accountant.com)
Awaiting your response.
Best regards,
Stanley Rodney.
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