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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- hanslawoffice@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Rose William" <wsdaviduk@gmail.com>
Reply-To: msrosewilliam@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2017 16:46:28 +0100
Subject: Re: Re: Payment Notice.
Hello My Good Friend,
I am indeed glad to be in contact with you once again even though this medium of communication (internet) has been grossly abused by criminal minded people making it difficult for people with genuine intention struggle to correspond and exchange views without skepticism.
I was shocked you stopped communicating me over my business transaction, I really can't understand your reason for doing so, but I am very happy now to inform you about my success in getting the fund claimed and transfer with a special assistance from a Russia business woman that catered for other logistics.
Do to I have been in contact with you before in the course of the transaction.I have issued a certified international bank cheque of $800, 000.00 in your name and drop with Mr. Hans as I am heading to Russia to invest my money on crude Oli business since I couldn't make direct transfer into your bank account because I don't have it.
Contact: Barr. Jacques Hans
Cotonou Benin Republic.
His email: hanslawoffice@yahoo.fr
Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the bank check to you. Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you soonest.
Mrs. Rose William
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