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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:
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- "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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Facebook" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ellen_harden@live.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 11:51:05 +0100
Subject: Message from Facebook.
Congratulations, You have been selected as one (1) of the fifteen (15) winners in this months Facebook cash splash promo. Our fifteen (15) winners have been selected from different countries across the globe. Your Name was picked from our Network by a Random Web Process.
Congratulations once again from Facebook, you are entitled to the Mega prize Reward sum of $200,000.00 USD (Two hundred Thousand U.S Dollars Only) for being an active member on our social Network site. Your winnings can be collected via an international certified Bank Draft or Bank Cheque.
**IDENTIFICATION NO: GCL0915 #(38)**
Contact the Event manager for Information on where you can pick up your payment via Bank draft/Bank Cheque in your country. Contact the Event Manager with the requested information provided below for reconfirmation.
Event Manager: Ellen Harden
Email: ellharden@ymail.com
*Name In Full :....................
*Nationality :..................
*Country of Residence:....................
*Email Address :.....................
*Your Age/Sex :.....................
*Phone #/ Tel/ Fax :....................
*Occupation :....................
Facebook Team.
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