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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- solicitorlawoffice1979@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Peter Bibby" <06309293gf@gmail.com>
Reply-To: informationoffice@citromail.hu
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2022 12:32:51 -0800
Subject: I want to stay in touch - Action needed
Hello,
Good Day to you.
How are you doing today, hope you are fine.
It will be a pleasure to introduce to you a business that will make
the beginning of never-ending family relationship. I hope that this
message will not be inconvenience or embarrassment to you. I must not
hesitate to confide in you this simple and sincere business as soon as
you reply this message. I look forward that your day begins with the
knowledge of my determination to obtain your friendship. Allow my
small introduction to have an opportunity to take a few moments of
your time for us to become well acquainted.
Please reply me here: solicitorlawoffice1979@gmail.com
Barr.Peter Bibby
Brown Rudnick LLP.
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Anti-fraud resources:
