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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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: "Free Internet Games" <www.webservice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ukgaming_001@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:12:27 +0200
Subject: Ticket Number:418 8354952 518
We wish to inform you that your email address has won you the sum of $
1,000,000 Million Dollars the Free Internet lottery, which your e-mail
address have been Chosen today on the 14th September 2010, To free lotto
Tickets Number#. Number: 418 8354952 518
http://www.freeinternetlottery.com/terms.php
=================================
TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
Simply contact:-
Mr. Peter Taylor
Email: freeinternegames@manager.in.th
=================================
Claims Requirements:
1. Full Name:
2. Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Country:
5. Telephone:
6. Sex:
7. Age:
8. State of Origin:
Mode of payment/Courier delivery
How Do You Feel As A Winner:..............................
All Prizes must be claimed within 4 weeks of draw results.
only one claim submission will be required. Successful claims
will be honored within 60 days of claim
Yours Truly
Steven Burtler
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Anti-fraud resources:
