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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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "00,000.00" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Online Lottery Awards 2010" <info@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: ruthpoticher12@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:04:58 +1000 (EST)
Subject: Dear E_mail Owner
The Free Lotto Sweepstakes,
Ref No: MELI-T/ 17-F044262312
Batch No:901/00319/HLP
Zonal Draw No: GMLA2-003
Grand Draw No: 12099
We are delighted to inform you that your EMAIL account has won you
500,000.00 GBP from the Free Lotto program held in London. KIA/001/11234
and your reference number TYT: 12058006/06.Please provide him with your
Secret pin code UY8765TKH and Your reference number 26510460037/07 with
your.
You are to contact the claims agent with the following:
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER:Ruth Poticher(Mrs.)
Email:ruthpoticher@live.co.uk
1. Full Names:...............
2. Address:...............
3. Age:......
4. Sex:........
5. Marital Status:...........
6. Occupation:...............
7. Phone numbers:................
8. Fax number:............
9. Country:............
Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Greg Smith.Online Condinator
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Anti-fraud resources:
