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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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. )
- 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.
- davidbayford@europe.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- commission] labo 01/123 b-1049 brussels belgium e-mail:davidbayford@europe.com alternative e-mail: eudeskfront@europe.com date 25/1/2017 (Europe; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Laura Matthias" <eudeskfront@europe.com>
Reply-To: LauraMatthias@representative.com
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:39:41 -0300
Subject: MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS
Directorate-General for Research (RTD)
[European Commission]
LABO 01/123
B-1049 Brussels BELGIUM
E-mail:Davidbayford@europe.com
Alternative E-mail: eudeskfront@europe.com
DATE 25/1/2017
OVERDUE EU GRANT PAYMENT
The European Union funding and Grant Department Brussels BELGIUM hereby
inform you of your overdue EU grant payment of : 45,000 000.00 Million
Euros by the commission to you.
Your ID have been picked from the EU Email ballot draw to receive a Cheque
payment of 45,000.000.00. The EU give's out cheque grants to all EU
countries member states AND NON member countries.55 Lucky winners are
picked each year from each country in 16 member EU States and worldwide
including Canada and America.
We are informing you of this development as your ID was selected to be
paid the sum of 45 Million Euros EU.
Please we advise you contact us back immediately with a comprehensive
reply including your complete names, Occupation,Telephone Number, with a
scan passport photograph for processing of your grant payment to your BANK
ACCOUNT.
Contact the accredited Company Secretary ( Mr.David Bayford ) via email
address : Davidbayford@europe.com
Alternative e-mail: eudeskfront@europe.com
Note: Please keep confidential your EU payment information to yourself
and do not disclose any information to persons or organization about your
grants until payment is being made to you.
EU Grant Website :
http://europa.eu/policies-activities/funding-grants/index_en.htm
Yours Faithfully
Mrs.Laura Matthias
Head of Operation.
European Union
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Anti-fraud resources:
