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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.
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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031946103 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- box_agent@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Pete Bill <petebill20001@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:11:26 +0100 (BST)
Subject: From The Managing Director To Linda Liefting
FROM: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
EUROPEAN PRIZE AWARD DEPT.
REF:EL3/9318/06
BATCH:EL8/163/EL.
13th OCT 2006.
Attn To Linda Liefting
Today, we announce the 10 lucky winners of the MILLION LOTTO WINNING PROGRAMS held on 17th, SEPTEMBER 2006. Your e-mail address attached to ticket number :EL-23133 with serial number: EL-123542,batch number: EL8/163/EL, lottery ref number: EL3/9318/05 and drew lucky numbers 7-1-8-36-4-22 which consequently won in the 1st category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$1,500,000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States dollars) Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you:
National Trust Agency
Name: Mrs Linda Scott
Email: ( box_agent@yahoo.co.uk )
Tel : +447031946103
with the following information.s,
1. Full name
2.Phone number
3.Address
4.Occupation
5.Sex
6.Age
7.Nationality.
Please note in order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all correspondence. Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
Sincerely,
Dr.Peter Bill
For The Management
Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Anti-fraud resources: