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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +447045754105 (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.
- nokia14th@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:06:54 -0500
Subject: YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS WON NOKIA E-MAIL PROMOTION UK
CONGRATULATIONS!You have Just won 750,000,00 GBP in the ongoing NOKIA PROMOTION UK For claims and information Please call Tel:+44704 575 4105 or
send your email to nokia14th@hotmail.com,Note that your verification number as your draw number to file for your claims to the claims agent as
A sole Beneficiary of the won prize please file winning number below.Winning Number====(220968No)Draw Number=======(Pr44906)
Yours Sincerely
Mr Simon Ainslie
NOKIA DIRECTOR UK
Anti-fraud resources:
