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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:
- "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)
- "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.
- bmwwinning@citromail.hu (Citromail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: BMW Delivery Agent <amakaeucharia87@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bmwwinning@citromail.hu
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2021 18:38:52 +0000
Subject: Congratulations From BMW Dealership
I am Mr William Ben The BMW Delivery Agent and I am written to inform
you about your BMW winning with the cheque of $5.5 million dollars
which was brought by the United Embassy from the government
of USA in the white house Washington DC The 1 BMW car and a cheque of
$5.5 million dollars Have Been Mandated
to be deliver to your address as soon as you get back to me with The
Following Details
Full Name (Receiver): ___,
Country of Resident: ____
Office / Home Street Address: ___
Nearest Airport: ___,
Mobile Phone Number: ___
OCCUPATION;.......................
Identification papers (Passport copy or ID card): ___
Message Me Once You Read my message ok.
But be informed it will cost you only $300 dollars for the delivery
including all car maintenance will cost you only $300 dollars so get
back to me
ASAP
Thanks
Mr William Ben
Office Email:(bmwwinning@citromail.hu)
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Anti-fraud resources:
