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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "claims office" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- exxonclaims@care2.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Exxon Mobil Malaysia <exxolmobil_reward4u@live.com.my>
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:27:42 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Your email has won $1,350,000.usd reward!!!
Your email has been selected to receive the reward sum of $1,350,000.00 usd in the
on going Exxon Mobil Xmas online reward promotion!
Reply to the below Exxon Mobil Claims Office information:
Name: Mr Khalid Bin Hassan
Tel: +60164872013
Email:exxonclaims@care2.com
Congratulations....For being part of this year 2010 Exxon Mobil Xmas reward winner!
Reward notifier,
Mrs Per Viderup
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Anti-fraud resources:
