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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.
- 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.
- +447035903054 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: London Scottish Bank <stevewell101@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: londonscottish66@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:23:13 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From London Scottish Bank
Attn: Beneficiary,
Your fund has been deposited with us and we advise you to come forward to our office in London to receive your payment or, choose from the 3 options I'll give you below.
1. The first option is that you will come to our office in London where you will receive your payment on the spot.
2. The second option is cash payment through diplomatic process. Under this arrangement, a foreign diplomat will deliver the cash to you inside a box containing your money. The parcel will be declared as "DIPLOMATIC BAGGAGE".
3. The last option is by wire transfer to your bank account. Make your choice quickly and let us know which option you chose but, remember to give us the following details quickly.
1. Your Full Name
2. Your Contact Address
3. Telephone Number
NOTE: WE REQUEST FOR THE ABOVE DETAILS TO ENABLE US RE-CONFIRM THE INFORMATION WE HAVE IN YOUR FILE TO KNOW WHETHER YOU'RE THE ACTUAL BENEFICIARY OF THE FUNDS.
Mr. Patrick McDonnell
Tel: +44-703-590-3054
London Scottish Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
