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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)
- "from: the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- drcourageiyienu@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Marria Baker BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATION LOTTERY AWARD PROMOTION
<bakermariai2@dsgg.ga>
Reply-To: <drcourageiyienu@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2016 13:08:30 +0700
Subject: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATION LOTTERY AWARD PROMOTION
BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATION LOTTERY AWARD PROMOTION =
FROM: THE DESK OF MR.Maria Baker (ZONAL COORDINATOR)
THE LONDON HILTON ON PARK LANE
22 PARK LANE =
LONDON W1K 1BE =
UNITED KINGDOM
Dear Friend,
We are obliged to inform you that we have succeeded in resolving all relat=
ed problems that has made the transfer impossible. With the help of the Int=
ernational Monetary Fund (IMF) who have rendered tremendous help in this Ex=
ercise.
We regret to announce the mismanagement of beneficiaries=2019 funds by our=
appointed zonal managers; we were not able to meet up with the winners=
=2019 amount due to the list of names that are due for payment. In apprecia=
tion of your patience and understanding in receiving your fund we have deci=
ded to compensate you with the sum of ($4,500,000.00) Bank Draft.
Your identification code is UKTNL5623 for compensation.
You are to contact our Zonal Coordinator,
Dr. COURAGE IYIENU
E-Mail ; (drcourageiyienu@hotmail.com )
Cell Phone: +229 9914 1894
Please do send him your:-
(1)FULL NAMES:
(2)CONTACT ADDRESS:
(3)AGE & SEX:
(4)TELEPHONE NUMBER:
(5)FAX NUMBER:
(6)COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
(7)STATE OF ORIGIN:
(8)BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR COMPANY.
Do not hesitate to let us know immediately you receive your fund so that w=
e can take account of how many beneficiaries were paid.
Congratulation!!!*
Maria Baker
(B.T.L.A.P)
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Anti-fraud resources:
