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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:
- "sequel to your email" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +447024043608 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Harry Potter Foundation" <izubeidat@psi.uned.es>
Reply-To: harrypotterfoundations@alumno.lasallep.edu.mx
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:41:43 +0200
Subject:
Dear Selected personality.
We the harry potter foundation wishes to anounce to you that,sequel to
your email profile, you have been selected in your state by this honorable
foundation to disburse a reasonable amount of (£1,000.000.00) (one Million
GBP) to the less privellege.This project is been sponsored
by philanthropist and ably supported by united nation (U N).we are indeed
overwhelmed with this laudable project and we do sincerely hope that you
will discharge your duties faithfully on reciept of this funds.the
following are request for final clearance and proper identification to
avoid posible identity theft.
1. full names as appeared in national identity card......
2. last two places of residence...........
3. current phone number...........
4. language spoken..........
Inlight of the above please contact the the foundation co-ordinator
**************************
Names:mr. Andy Alec
Phone Number:+447024043608
**************************
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Anti-fraud resources:
