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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- 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.
- campbellfisher@163.com (163; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Campbell Fisher"
Reply-To: <campbellfisher@163.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2015 01:22:59 +0800
Subject: URGENT NOTIFICATION OF YOUR FUNDS (ARE YOU DEAD OR ALIVE)
OFFICE OF MR. CAMPBELL FISHER (ESQ)
COUNTER TERRORISM AND CYBER CRIME DIV. JHB SA
FUNDS REIMBURSEMENT/COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Tel: +27110558146/ Fax: +27865366823
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Letter to Beneficiary
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This is to notify you that your overdue funds have been approved for paym=
ent to you. Your funds which are $4,500,000.00 have been approved for payme=
nt through ATM cash card system and diplomatic courier delivery.
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Please be informed that several attempts to contact you were unsuccessful=
and this is the last email to you in respect to the claims process. Meanwh=
ile, a power of attorney was received from one Donna Shamblin from USA issu=
ed by you authorizing that the fund beneficiary be changed to his name. Hen=
ce we are seeking for your confirmation to this end ASAP; kindly reconfirm =
this information-s below.
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Full Names:
Address:
Phone Numbers:
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NOTE: The actual fee for shipping your ATM card is $95.00, No hidden fee o=
r extra cost! Once payment is received the diplomatic courier service will =
ensure that your ATM Card and documents backing up its existence is sent wi=
thin 24 hours. 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive package with=
in the next 24 hours after payment is made for shipping.
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Regards
Mr. Campbell Fisher
E-mail: campbellfisher@163.com
Tel: +27110558146
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Anti-fraud resources:
