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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "ben.patrick2000@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "DR. JORGE OBANDO." <helmut@w3sat.com.br>
Reply-To: ben.patrick2000@yandex.com
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2016 07:27:23 -0600
Subject: For Your Compensation,
--
Dear Friend,
I did not forgot your past effort and attempts to assist me, now I'm
happy to inform you that i have succeeded in getting those funds
transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from Karachi,
Pakistan.
Now Contact my secretary ask him to send Cashier Bank Check Of ($1.2
Million Dollars) for your compensation
CONTACT PERSON: MR. BEN PATRICK and his E-mail:
ben.patrick2000@yandex.com
Please contact him with the following information below to avoid wrong
delivery
Your Full Name............
Current Complete House Address........
Contact Telephone Numbers.......
CELL PHONE NO.............
Scan copy of your ID for easy identification/to avoid delivering to
wrong person
Nearest International Airport.......
REGARDS
DR. JORGE OBANDO,
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Anti-fraud resources:
