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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "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.
- hadithfoundation@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Kennethmark<info@lee.org>
Reply-To: hadithfoundation@yahoo.com
Date: 17 Aug 2020 04:27:51 +0300
Subject: ***SPAM*** hadithfoundation
Are you a Qatar/KSA Resident who need a full or part time job ?
Hadith Welfare Foundation is a premier British Muslim relief,
development agency based in the United Kingdom, this organisation
is in need of a Qatar/KSA based representative for the post of an
Account Receivable officer, this position entails receiving Cash
and Cheque Donations from our Qatar/KSA Donors which comes three,
four or five times monthly.
You will be entitled to a 4000 Riyal Salary and 10% commission
from every cheque or cash donation received. contact us with your
CV for further details.
Best Regards,
Kenneth Mark Excultive Marketer
EMAIL;...hadithfoundation@yahoo.com
Hadith Welfare Foundation (HWF)
8 GOODWILL HOUSE
Simpsons Road,
London
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