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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:
- "million 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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barristerpatrickyoung@kimo.com (Kimo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "BARRISTER PATRICK YOUNG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristerpatrickyoung@kimo.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:56:04 +0800
Subject: YOUR ATTENTION IS NEEDED
Hello Friend,
I wish to seek your consent to present you as the beneficiary to the total sum of (US$18 million dollars)in the intent of the deceased. I contacted you so that I can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance since there is no written will.
All the papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal, I request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance; to enable me file all necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this outstanding funds.
This is an opportunity that people rarely have, you can contact me via e-mail (barristerpatrickyoung@kimo.com)I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours truly,
Barr. Patrick Young.
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Anti-fraud resources: