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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 us 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)
- "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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- joemcduba@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Queen Carlomagno <bhc.robertoff1722@gmail.com>
Reply-To: joemcduba@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2021 05:25:15 -0700
Subject: QUICK REPLY
Dear beneficiary,
This is to officially inform you that we have had a meeting for During
the past two months at the meeting, we discussed the issue regarding
Victims of fraud this compensation exercise is also extended to
victims of The war also displaced some retired government workers and
you are among those that have been listed around the world and will
benefit of these indemnities which have been concluded.
Therefore, I am writing to inform you that the United Nations has agreed to
compensate you with the sum of 2.8million US dollars (two million five
hundred thousand United States dollars) We arranged your payment of
USD
$2.8million by ATM card. The ATM card with security PIN numbers must be
delivered to you via TNT express courier service.
Contact our representative Dr Joe McDonald. and transmit the following
details to him.
1. Your full name:
2. Address to which you want us to send your credit card
3. Mobile number:
Contact Dr John Gbadebo. with the email below and transfer your
details to him.Email: (joemcduba@gmail.com)
Thank you
Mrs Queen Carlomagno
An agent
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Anti-fraud resources: