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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- albertse.bmwclaims987@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "BMW LOTTERY DEPT." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <albertse.bmwclaims987@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2017 04:12:40 -0700
Subject: Claim your Car and Check now with this code BMW:2541256004/25.
You have been selected for a prize of a brand new 2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive Car and a Check of US$1.5 Million from the international balloting programs held in USA;although, it is not limited to only U.S residents or citizens.
Contact the claims agent with code BMW:2541256004/25 and your delivery details to claim your prize.
Name: Mr. Albert Jensen
Email: albertse.bmwclaims987@gmail.com
Congratulations !!!!
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Anti-fraud resources:
