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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- stellaharryson@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Caleb Ivori" <teamonline15@amicable.biz>
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:18:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject:
Hello My dear friend,
This is Mr. Caleb Ivori perhaps you may not remember me again but I did not forget your help and the couarge you gave me in the past.
How are you and your family? I hope everybody is fine.I am happy to inform you that i did later completed the transaction successfully with another partner.The total funds was transferred to the new partner that i presented to the bank.Now i'm out side my country for investment project with my partner.
However,i did not forget your past efforts and assistance to me to see that the funds was approved with the bank.So, I have given my secretary a Cheque worth the sum US$850,000 to send to you any time you are able to contact her.Please,accept this token of appreciation.
Below is the name and email address of my secretary;
my secretary name: STELLA HARRYSON
contact email address: stellaharryson@yahoo.com
You should contact my secretary at your earliest convenient so that the Cheque can be send to you.
I wish you the best in all your future endevours.I will also call you at my earliest convenient.
your brother and partner,
Caleb
NB: Remember to put this 5- lettered word "GRACE" as the subject of your email so that my Secretary will know that you are the rightful beneficiary of the cheque.
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