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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:
- "million 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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- boriscalebattys@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Attorney Boris Esq" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <borisassociate@webmail.co.za>
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2018 07:21:24 +0200
Subject: Business Inquiry
ATTORNEY CALEB BORIS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
ADDRESS NO: 0898 VICKY STREET
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Tel/Fax +27810528588
Email: boriscalebattys@gmail.com
Attn:
I am Attorney Caleb Boris, an Attorney at Law In Republic of South Africa. I have an urgent and very profitable business
proposition for you and me. Which I would like you to stand as the appointed heir to my deceased client
Who made fixed deposit valued at US$16.5Million Dollars Only in a commercial Bank in South Africa? He died in 2007 with
his family Members without any registered next of kin and the funds now has an open beneficiary mandate
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin and beneficiary of my deceased client so that
the proceeds of this account valued at $16.5million can be paid to you, so we can share the amount on a mutually agreed
Percentage of 50% for me 50% for you.
All legal documents to back up your claim as the deceased Next of Kin will be provided by me. All I require is your honest
Cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
That will protect you from any breach of the law.
Upon the receipt of your reply we proceed.
Warmest Regards.
Barr. Caleb Boris Esq.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW & SOLICITORS
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Anti-fraud resources:
