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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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 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.
- +447024063837 (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.
- ukclaimsagent_drharryraymond07@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Uk National Lottery<ukclaimsagent_drharryraymond07@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:15:21 -0500
Subject: WINNING NOTIFICATION
UK National Lottery,
PO Box 1010
Liverpool,L70 1NL,
United Kingdom,
Draw Date 26/12/2007
Ref: XYL /26510460037/05
Batch: 24/00319/IPD
FINAL WINNING NOTIFICATION:
We happily announce to you the draw (#1167) of the UK NATIONAL LOTTERY,online Sweepstakes International program held on
26th december 2007.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number:56475600545188 with Serial number 5368/02 drew the
lucky numbers: 0410 21 22 25 38 31(Bonus ball) which subsequently won you the lottery in the 1stcategory i.e.match 6
plus bonus.You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of (£1,000,000.00Pounds Sterling) in cash credited to
file XYL/26510460037/05 This is from a total cash prize of (£4,000,000.00Pounds Sterling)shared amongst the Three (3)
lucky winners in this category i.e.match 6 plus bonus.
Contact Fiduciary Agent for Claim Below:
Dr harry raymond
Phone Number:+44-702-406-3837
E-mail: ukclaimsagent_drharryraymond07@yahoo.co.uk
Contact the claims department with your personal information:
FULL NAMES:
COUNTRY:
TELE/FAX IF ANY:
MARITAL STATUS:
SEX:
AGE:
OCCUPATION:
NATIONALITY:
ADDRESS:
How you need your winning funds.
1.Courier cheque delivery
2.Comming to our office annex
Choose one as soon as possible
© UK National Lottery
Anti-fraud resources:
