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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: CHRISTOPHER WRAY <oofficialregejean@gmail.com>
Reply-To: cw304784@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:33:45 +0100
Subject: Claim Your Car And Check With Your Winning Code BMW:2541256004/25
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Note: if you found this email in your junk/spam, its because of your
internet isp server.
Your email has been selected for a prize of a brand New 2022 BMW M2
Series M240i xDrive and a CHECK of $1,500,000.00 USD from the
international balloting programs held in USA but the WINNINGS IS FOR
EVERYBODY CONTACTED AS A WINNER IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD. Contact the
claims agent with code BMW:2541256004/25 and your DELIVERY DETAILS
Your Full Name…..
Your home Address …..
Your nearest airport and Mobile Number to claim your prize.
I’m waiting for your quick response.
Best regards
Christopher Wray.
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Anti-fraud resources:
