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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "steigerwald_atmpaymentunit@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- 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 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.
- steigerwald_atmpaymentunit@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Caroline Anthony" <accounts@keyagent.co.uk>
Reply-To: steigerwald_atmpaymentunit@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 01 Nov 2016 08:11:19 -0300
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT
Attention; The sum of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)=
out of your over due total sum has been approved for payment through ATM c=
ash card system after all attempts to pay you through bank, and diplomatic =
courier failed. The approved sum has been programmed into the ATM cash card=
which will be dispatched to you through your address upon reconfirmation. =
I have made several attempts to contact you and this is the 3rd and perhaps=
the last letter to you in respect to this matter. Meanwhile, I received a =
power of attorney from one Mr. Carlvaho Reeves from U.S.A purportedly issue=
d by you asking us to change the fund beneficiary to his name. However, you=
should send your Full Names/Age/Telephone Number(s)/Residential Address/Ge=
nder and Occupation, to Mr. Steigerwald Francis immediately for your compen=
sation payment by replying to this email or emailing the address below: Mr.=
Steigerwald Francis Email: steigerwald_atmpaymentunit@yahoo.com Phone Numb=
er: +1-507-216-4386 He is obliged to treat your case with utmost urgency as=
soon as you contact him and fill out your correct details including all re=
achable phone numbers for him to get in touch with you via phone and email.=
NOTE: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is just $185.00 (One Hund=
red and Eighty Five United States Dollars) Upon receipt of payment the paym=
ent officer will ensure that your package is sent within 24 working hours. =
Because I am very sure of everything, I am giving you a 100% money back gua=
rantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 24hrs after yo=
u have made the payment for Shipping. Good luck and kind regards Making the=
world a better place! Caroline Anthony.
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Anti-fraud resources:
