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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.
- 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.
- unn.organisation@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Robinson Pearson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aurelodion@gmx.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2020 05:32:52 -0400
Subject: United Nations Compensation Fund
Hello
How are you. I am Dr. Robinson Pearson, I work for the United Nations. I saw your email address while browsing through the Bank DTC Screen in my office so I decided to contact you for the United Nations Donation program for Covid 19 pandemic which your name was shortlisted among the lucky beneficiary.
Based on the meeting we had regarding your payment; I am sending this short message just to know if you permitted Walter Barthosik to receive your fund donated to you as your next of kin.
I look forward in receiving your response
Have a pleasant day and stay safe in this Covid 19 pandemic
Please send your response to my private email: unn.organisation@gmail.com
Thanks
Dr Robinson Pearson
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Anti-fraud resources: