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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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- unitedoffice08@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: UNITED OFFICE <officeu2023@gmail.com>
Reply-To: unitedoffice08@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2023 05:48:31 -0700
Subject: Good morning my brother..
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Good day bro...
I am TONY from Edo state based in Lagos...I have UK BANK online
banking for Next Of Kin, Come & Carry and Dating work..I have a very
good follow up for work and can repackage your old jobs to pay again.
I CAN ALSO GIVE YOU A GOOD FORMAT MAKE U DEY BOMB AM...IF YOU GET
REPLY I GO DEY FOLLOW UP FOR YOU AND I HAVE STRONG PACKAGING FOR
IT...I also have a reliable contact that sells confirm updated
directors emails with webmail.
You can reach me on my direct mobile line: 08135485394, or contact me
on my personal email: unitedoffice08@gmail.com
One Love
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Anti-fraud resources: