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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- +447031863279 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: Facebook Team <henia.geras@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: facebook.payout@live.com
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:05:25 +0800
Subject: FACEBOOK AWARD!!!
The Facebook Coporation London.United Kingdom
13 Liverpool Road, Islington, London, London, N1 0RW
Tel:+44-703-1863-279
Dear Facebook User,
An online award has been set up this year to promote the usage of facebook and your email address
was chosen from the list of emails that registered on Facebook.You have been awarded the sum of
500,000.00Gbp.Your Facebook Instructional Award Code Is Facebook0983647
This is a very new programme and you are therefore requested to contact the payment office
immediately with the following details below:
1.Your Name.............................
2.Your Contact Address..................
3.Your Mobile Number....................
4.Your Next Of Kin......................
5.Your Sex..............................
6.Your Age..............................
7.Your Nationality......................
8.Your Present Country..................
9.Your Occupation.......................
10.Your Facebook Instructional Award Code
These details should be forwarded to the Payment Center here in the Uk
Payment Center Details
Payment Officer: Mr. Frank Williams
Payment Office Email: facebook.payout@live.com
Payment Office Number:Tel:+44-703-1863-279
Contact the payment office by email or telephone communication and they will guild you on the
reception of your award.
Once more we say a warm congratulations from the Facebook Team
Dr. Edwards Bruggs
Online Coordinator.
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Anti-fraud resources:
