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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:
- "barrister" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Allen Covi <allencovi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Allen Covi <allencovi@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2015 00:48:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: We can reach agreement
Dear Good Friend,
I know you might be surprised receiving my message.There is however no reason to be apprehensive as all I request is for your co-operation to have the sum of Six million Euro transferred out of the bank located in Benin Republic.
I am an Attorney;a deceased client of mine that shares the same last name as yours, died as a result of a heart-related condition Leaving behind the above deposit.Everything regarding the transaction is already perfected, so you should please email me with the following information:
1. Full Names
2. Address (physical)
3. Telephone numbers and fax (if applicable)
4. Occupation and position
So that we can reach an agreement and kick-start the transaction.
Kindly get back to me via e-mail or via my direct telephone call +22996663476
Yours Sincerely,
Barrister Allen
Covi.
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Anti-fraud resources:
