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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:
- "dear friend" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- martinezchambers@consultant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Martinez Sejas <megachoiceplaza@gmail.com>
Reply-To: martinezchambers@consultant.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:26:56 -0800
Subject: Urgent Partnership
Dear Friend,
I am a lawyer here in Spain, I need your assistance in the transfer
of the sum $8,500,000 left behind by my late Client who lost his life
along with his entire family in a motor accident.The fund must be
transferred out before it is declared unserviceable by the
government. Attempts made to trace member of his family was
unsuccessful. I will give you more information upon your response to
this proposal. Send your telephone number or email me so that I can
explain in details.
Please forward your response via; martinezchambers@consultant.com
Best Regards,
Martinez Sejas
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Anti-fraud resources:
