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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:
- "cheque " (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 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.
- mr.morriswalker@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: bill trust <barrbilltrust1@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: barrbilltrust@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:19:21 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Beloved One...
Dear Beloved One...
Seasons Greetings to you.
You might find it so difficult to remember me, Thought it was indeed a very long time and I am delighted to contact you again.
I
am Mr. Bill Trust, With great gratitude to your efforts, I am very
happy informing you that I have finally succeeded in getting that fund
transferred. Please kindly contact my personal lawyer on his email
address below and receive your compensation of (US$3.5M) from him:
Mr. Morris Walker
E-mail: mr.morriswalker@gmail.com
I have instructed him to direct you on how you will receive it, Please kindly send the following information to him:
(1) Your Full Name......
(2) Your Phone Number......
(3) Your House/Office Address......
(4) Your Occupation......
Please Note, That if you did not send him the above information
complete, he will not release the cheque to you because he has to be
sure that it is you. Ask him to send you the total sum of (US$3.5M)
which I kept for you.
Please kindly accept this token with good faith I really
appreciate all your effort as this is from my heart and let me know
once you receive it.
Thanks and God bless you.
Mr. Bill Trust.
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