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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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 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.
- +447031910846 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- barristerbrucekart@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MAERSK SHIPPING" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristerbrucekart@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2016 14:33:40 +0100
Subject: Re: Next of Kin.
Good afternoon. I have emailed you earlier on without any response from
you. On my first email I mentioned about my late client whose relatives I
cannot get in touch with. But both of you have the same last name so it
will be very easy to present you as his official next of kin since he
didn't have a WILL & TESTAMENT.
I am compelled to do this because I would not want the finance house to
push my client's funds (US$18.5m) into their treasury as unclaimed
inheritance. If you are interested you do let me know so that I can give
you comprehensive details on what we are to do since i can confer your
legal rights of claim as the executor.
You can reach me directly on my mobile number and my email address; Email
address: barristerbrucekart@gmail.com
Direct Number: +447031910846
Best regards,
Barrister Bruce Kart
+447031910846
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Anti-fraud resources:
