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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:
- "22 garden close, stamford" (address often used in fake lottery scams)
- "the bmw automobile company" (no such lottery exists)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",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)
- 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.
- +447031748908 (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.
- murphylee_2008@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: murphylee_2008@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:24:47 -1200
Subject: BMW NOTIFICATION!!!
THE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS
PROMOTION DEPARTMENT OF
THE BMW AUTOMOBILE COMPANY.
22 Garden Close, Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 2YP, London
United Kingdom.
Tell: +44 703 174 8908
The Board of Directors,Members of staff and the
International Awareness Promotion Department of the BMW
Automobile Company,wishes to congratulate you on your
success as one of our TEN(10) STAR PRIZE WINNER in this
years BMW Automobile International Awareness Promotion
(IAP)held TUESDAY,23RD Of SEPTEMBER,2008 in London.
This makes you the proud owner of a brand new BMW 5 Series,M
Sport Saloon car and a cash prize of 1,000,000.00 GBPs (One
Million Great British pounds).In order to redeem your prizes
contact the Manager of the Claims Department with the
verification form below duely Filled and sent through email
to:
REPLY TO:
MURPHY LEE
EMAIL: murphylee_2008@hotmail.com
VERIFICATION FORM:
1.) Full Name:
2.) Current Address:
3.) Country:
4.) Age:
5.) Sex:
6.) Occupation:
7.) Mobile phone Number:
8.) Fax(Very Important):
8.) REFERENCE NUMBER:BMW:2551256003/23
Best Regards,
Mr.LYNN ZAM,
BMW Claims Manager.
Anti-fraud resources:
