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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:
- "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)
- ",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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "robert.guillermo@gmx.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Robert Guillermo <robert.guillermo@counsellor.com>
Reply-To: robert.guillermo777@gmx.co.uk
Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:47:55 -0700
Subject: Good Day,
--
Good day,
My name is Barrister. Robert. G. Guillermo. I am the personal
attorney/sole executor to my late client who shares similar Surname with
you.
After the death of my client alongside his only surviving son in an auto
crash since the year 2002, the bank contacted me to provide his Next of
kin to inherit his fortune totaling Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars (US$9,500,000.00) according to the existing
banking policy.
I have written several letters to his embassy with the intent to locate
any of his extended family who should be the beneficiary and my efforts
has been to no avail.
I have received official letters from the board of directors of the
holding bank in the last few weeks suggesting a likely proceeding for
confiscation of his abandoned personal assets in line with existing laws
therefore I have been issued a 30 working days ultimatum to provide his
next of kin or forfeit the deposit.
From my professional experience I can use a legal means to re-profile
and present you as the next of kin to my deceased client since you share
same surname to enable you put a claim to the funds on our behalf.
Regards.
Barrister. Robert. G. Guillermo
Email: robert.guillermo@gmx.co.uk
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Anti-fraud resources:
