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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "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)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- lindabishopunit@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- your fund. contact person: mrs.linda bishop email: lindabishopunit@gmail.com lindabishopunit@hotmail.com congratulations'' once again (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. keith mercer"<hk@chinahacker.com.hk>
Reply-To: lindabishopunit@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:18:06 -0600
Subject: SEASONS GREETINGS......
Global Shining Light Award
Congratulation!!! Dear Email User,
We wish to notify you that Your email address was automatically generated and selected during the Network Online Program GLOBAL AWARDS (NOPGA) yearly International Online Promotions draw.
You have therefore been approved to claim a Star Prize of $3 million USD (Three Million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in cash credited to Reference Number:
xxx5676/2017.
Basically,there are three (3) options for us to get your fund
transferred to you.
These options include :
1. Online Payment
2. Bank Transfer Payment
3. Official Delivery of Bank Draft or ATM Card to you.
Respond to this email by making a selection from the (3) options
above.
Your funds are protected by a hardcover insurance policy.
You are to make your preferred choice from the three options
above.
We anticipate your prompt response.
Re- confirm the following;
1.Your Full Name:
2.Your Address:
3. Telephone Number:
To claim your winning prize contact your appointed claim agent in
our paying bank for payment processing in USA for Immediate
Release of your fund.
Contact person: MRS.LINDA BISHOP
Email: lindabishopunit@gmail.com
lindabishopunit@hotmail.com
Congratulations'' once again from all our Staff and thank you for being part of our Promotions Program
Regards,
Mr keith mercer
(Coordinator/ Online Publicity).
Copyright©2017 Network Online Program Global Awards.
global online award.
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Anti-fraud resources: