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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "certified bank draft" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "mr.randy04 Gazeta.pl" <mr.randy04@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:17:32 +0200
Subject: ATTENTION My Dear Friend,
*My Dear Friend,
This is to thank you for your effort.I understood that your hands were
tied.But Not to worry.I have succeeded,the money has been transfered into
the account provided by a newly found friend of mine in Osaka Japan.*
*Tocompensate you for your past assistance and commitments,i have droped an
International Certified Bank Draft cheque worth of £1,200,000,00 for you.*
*I am in Japan with my family presently.I do intend to establish some
business concerns here,and possibly buy some properties.Contact my Secretary
in Benin Republic Mrs.Linda Bello on her email below
(**mrslndbll83@gmail.com* <mrslndbll83@gmail.com>* ) Forward my mail to
him,then ask her to send the
cheque to you.
Remember to include your informations as followed:
Your full names........
Your receiving mailing address......
Your telephone number...............
Take good care of your self.
Best Regards
Mike Jackson,
*
Anti-fraud resources:
