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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 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.
- wmasterup1293@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Phanida_Roidoung" <phanida@pdmo.mof.go.th>
Reply-To: wmasterup1293@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:01:46 +0800
Subject: Dear Webmail Account User
Dear Webmail Account User,
This message from the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) for
behalf of all owners of webmail.because of the rate constant of Spam,We are
performing maintenance and up- grading all webmail accounts as well as e-mail
server for your convenience. All mail services electronics will be
interrupted during this period, to prevent your account from been closed
during this exercise update below to know it was used as an account now with
tough spam protection device. Beginning sept 3 at the end sept 27th 2010
beginning at 09:00 until about 00:00 to midnight to allow more
increasing the storage size of Your webmail account. Be informed also that we
will not hesitate to cancel Your e-mail account unless works to create more
space for new users.
Confirm your account email address Electronic clicking button from your
response and follow;
* E-mail
* Username
* Password
After the upgrade, a link to reset the password will be sent to your email
address for the new password. The Please understand that this is a security
measure to protect
your e-mail account. Webmail Support Team Warning Code: ID67321434 Email:
wmasterup1293@gmail.com
Webmail Support Team
Warning Code: ID67321434
Email: wmasterup1293@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
