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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Thomas Cole" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomas.cole@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2010 03:42:04 +0100
Subject: URGENT
Dear Sir,
We have been instructed to release your overdue payment of $5 million through ATM Card payment. The processing and Shipment fees has already been paid by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF). All that is required is for you to complete the attached form. Fill the attached form correctly with your information to enable us deliver your ATM Card of $5 million immediately to your address.
To view the Form, you should click on http://albanianwizard.com/2k10/auctionsales.html download and save in your computer. You must download and save the below link to your computer to enable you view the form.
http://albanianwizard.com/2k10/auctionsales.html
Upon receipt of the completed form, this office will deliver your ATM Card of $5 million to your address within 3 working days without any request.
Your urgent reply is needed.
Thanks,
Dr. Thomas Cole
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Anti-fraud resources:
