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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:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: FROM MRS MICHELLE OBAMA <OBAMA.@oregano.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: FROM MRS MICHELLE OBAMA <mrsmichelleobama06@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 07:10:59 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION, FROM MRS MICHELLE OBAMA!
How are you doing dear?
I am Mrs. Michelle Obama and I am written to inform you about your Bank Cheque Draft brought by the United Embassy from the government of Benin Republic in
the white house Washington DC has been mandated to be deliver to your address on Monday being of Jan 25th 2016 to you as soon as you get back to me with your
Home address:..............
Cell phone number:........
City:.............................
Fax:.............................
Country:.......................
Sincerely yours Mrs Michelle Obama THE WHITE HOUSE
{OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE US}
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20500 USA
TEXT ME ON: +1 (202) 844-0497)
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Anti-fraud resources:
