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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- +447011134067 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +447011136459 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- frankpullmandesk@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: NATIONAL ONLINE SWEEP PROMO <frankpullmandesk@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 08:35:43 +0100 (BST)
Subject: ATTENTION WINNER: Marlinda Kapler
NATIONAL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY INC.
ROSEVILLE CRESCENT
NORTH WOODS, SW49 P2J
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Email: frankpullmandesk@yahoo.co.uk
Phone: +44-7011136459
Fax: 44-8701213851
Ref Number: NOSL/ CN/ 3565/ C06
Coupon Number: NOSL 2348666578
NATIONAL ONLINE FIDUCIARY/CLAIMS PROCESS DEPARTMENT
Dear Marlinda Kapler
We can not proceed with the verification process without the detailed information requested. Note that this is not the case here as we are to out to collect money from you. If you wish for us to call you please provide you number.
This is for real Madam.
You can reach us also at this numbers : +447011134067 or dial 009447011134067 or 0711134067. Keep trying and you will get through.
I await your soonest response.
Regards,
FRANK PULLMAN
FIDUCIARY AGENT (NATIONAL ONLINE SWEEP LOTTERY)
N.B: PASSWORD: - "Transfer Slip"
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