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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Raymond & Robyn" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <colliemoyer2605@localnet.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2015 09:16:54 -0500
Subject: *!!!{Complimentary Greetings To You And Your Family}!!!*
Greetings To You And Your Family.
Our Names are Raymond Moyer and Robyn Collie who won the March 18 2014 draw with a winning Quick Pick ticket from Publix on South Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island of $207 million prize, now that we just commenced my Charity Donation Scheme, we will be giving out cash grant of US$1Million (One Million United State Dollars) each to (5)Lucky international recipients worldwide. Your email address was submitted to our personal assistance from the best web directory and search engine by legal advisers to the donation scheme. You received this message because you have be listed as one of our (5)lucky millionaires. Our aim is to raise the living standards of people across the world. This may be a surprise to you or a joke or hoax to you Due to the scams in the internet this days, please have no doubt as this is very real. To confirm the legitimacy of this donation Prize, you may visit my web page below:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2616441/Americas-newest-millionaires-Florida-couple-celebrate-scooping-half-Mega-Millions-414m-jackpot.html)
After your confirmation, Kindly respond to this message with your Full Names and your contact address for more details on how to receive your cash grant. (Send response to : colliemoyer2605@localnet.com)
Kindly accept my warmest Congratulations.
Warm Regards,
Raymond Moyer and Robyn Collie
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Anti-fraud resources:
