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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:
- "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Attorney Shannon Wayde" <sescap@tvsom.com.br>
Reply-To: attorneyshannonwayde@bitscn.net
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:25:40 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: VITAL INFO
Goodday,
I do apologize if the content hereunder are contrary to your moral ETHICS,but please
treat it with absolute secrecy and personal courtesy.
I have written an earlier email to you but no response; I am writing following an
oppurtunity in my office that will be of immense benefit to both of us.In my first email
I did mentioned to you about my late client who had some huge funds deposited with a
bank before he died in April 2004;He (my late client) bears the same surname with you.
Since his death I have received several letters from the Bank,requesting me to provide
his next of kin or any of his relatives who can make claim before the end of the year or
they will be left with no option than to confiscate everything.
I have conducted my personal search to see if I can make contact with any of his
relatives but without success, it is in the course of my effort that I have to contact
you. I have closely checked and since you bear the same surname with my deceased client
it will be better to present you as the next of kin and the right beneficiary of the
funds in the account with the bank.
I will provide you with all the necessary legal backup that is required until this money
is paid out to you by the bank, and then we both shall share it base on our agreement.
Do respond quick if you are interested or should you need further clarification because
we have no much time left.Get back to me via: attorneyshannonwayde@bitscn.net
.
Thanks and God bless.
Regards,
Attorney Shannon Wayde. Esq.
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