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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:
- 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 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.
- +2348033455935 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- millibramstanley@inmail24.com (Inmail24; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: OLIVER NOORRIS <jamesdouglass28@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: milligaramstanley@inMail24.com
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 16:06:41 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT
Dear Friend,
How are you today? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using
this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished
transaction and transfer of the inheritance to your bank, am sorry for presenting and using someone else in your name to get this transaction successful. Due to some reasons best known by you. Right now, I want to inform you that I have successfully cleared the inheritance funds to someone else account who was capable of assisting me then in that great venture that have been over and successful.
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trustworthiness you showed at the
course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you
with the sum of $1.750m (ONE MILLION SEVEN AND FIFTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS). I have authorized Mr. Milligram Stanley to send you an international certified bank draft issued in your name, cashable draft at your bank or anywhere
as choice felt. My dear friend I will like you to contact Mr. Milligram Stanley
for the collection of this international certified bank.His name and contact address is as follows:
E-mail: Milligram Stanley
Email: millibramstanley@inMail24.com
Tel: +234-803-345-5935
Contact Mr. Milligram Stanley at the moment am very busy here in the Japan
because of the investment projects which myself and my new partner are having
at hand In Japan. Finally remember that I have forwarded instructions to Mr.
Milligram Stanley on your behalf to send the bank draft of $1.750m (ONE MILLION
SEVEN AND FIFTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS) to you as soon as you contact him
without delay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as
this is from the bottom of my heart.
Please do reconfirm your personal information to him so that he do not send your
draft to the wrong person. Thanks God bless you and your family. Hope to hear
from you soon as soon as you've getting my compensation and please do not get
angry because that is what I have for now till I finish my project.
Best Regards.
Mr. Oliver Norris.
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