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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.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "application fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- zenithmysteryshopper@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Andrew Leigh" <zenithmysteryshopper1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <zenithmysteryshopper2@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 00:58:09 +0200
Subject: Mystery Shoppers Urgently
MYSTERY SHOPPER WANTED
GET PAID SHOPPING!
EARN NO LESS THAN $ 200.00 PER VENTURE!
DO YOU NEED EXTRA INCOME?
IT IS VERY EASY AND VERY SIMPLE
NO APPLICATION FEES
WORKING AS A MYSTERY SHOPPER:
Do I really get paid to shop?
That's right shop-aholics! Become a mystery shopper for us and we will pay you to shop!
Mystery shoppers get paid to visit their local retail and fast food outlets to assess the customer service that they receive. They visit the store and act as a normal customer (whilst keeping their identity as a mystery shopper secret). The mystery shopper evaluates various aspects of the customer experience whilst they are in the store.
This information in then reported back to us via the Internet. We use this information to help our clients measure and improve their customer service in your local community.
MYSTERY SHOPPING WORK IS FLEXIBLE AND FUN!
We all have to go shopping, so why not get paid for the privilege. As a mystery shopper you can work any time you want. Work only as much or as little as you choose.
Apply today and you can get paid to shop. To apply, reply to this email.
Full Legal Name :
Address :
City :
State :
Zip code :
Country :
Nationality :
Age:
Home and Cell # :
YOU MUST BE OVER 21 TO APPLY.
zenithmysteryshopper@gmail.com
845-507-1538
We look forward to working with you
kima anderson
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Anti-fraud resources:
