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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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 next of kin scam.
- 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.
- rrichcoleman_1@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Attorney Richard Coleman" <rrichcoleman@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: rrichcoleman_1@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:58:46 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Can I trust you?
Dear Friend,
I have written an earlier mail to you but no response. In my first mail I
mentioned to you about my late client who deposited some fund with a Bank
here in UK before he died in April 2003. He bears the same surname with
you.
Since his death I have received several letters from the Bank where he
deposited the fund before his death, to provide his next of kin or any of
his relatives who can make claim to the funds before the end of the year
or the Bank will be left with no option than to confiscate the consignment
and turn the money back to the state. As it has been marked unclaimed for
6 years. I have conducted my personal search to see if I can make contact
with any of his relatives but without success, it is in the course of my
effort that I have to contact you.
I have closely checked and since you bear the same surname with my
deceased client it will be better to present you as the next of kin and
the rightful beneficiary of the funds in the account. I will provide you
with all the necessary legal backing that is required until this money is
paid out to you, and then we shall share it base on our agreement.Do
respond quick if you are interested or should you need further
clarification because we have no much time left.
Richard Coleman.
London United Kingdom
email:rrichcoleman_1@yahoo.com
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