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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 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.
- 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.
- starpost@terra.es (Terra, Spain; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "NEW YEAR BONANZA" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:30:25 +0100
Subject: NEW YEAR BONANZA
Annual Prize 2010
This mail is to notify you that your Email Address attached to a Reference Number: EG/069713160012 and a
Serial nr: 2443-05 has won an Award Sum of 515,810.00 Euros (Five Hundred And Fifteen Thousand Eight
Hundred And Ten Euro) In an Email Sweepstakes program held in our company - Super Enalotto International.
Please contact the claim officer through the below given contact information.
PROSEGUR SEGURIDAD. S.A.
Dr. Antonio Matteau Maretti.
Telephone :+34 634 133 588.
Email: starpost@terra.es
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs.Laura Perez Paris.
P.R.O.
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Anti-fraud resources:
