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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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- bdonovanblake@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Donovan Bake" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bakedono@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:06:59 +0200
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU
Hello Pal,
I'm in need of your assistance. My name is Sgt. Donovan Blake. I am a
military attach? with the Engineering unit here in Ba'qubah Iraq for the
United States; we have about $14 Million dollars that we want to move out of
the country.
My partners and I need a good partner someone we can trust to actualize this
venture. The money is from oil proceeds and legal. But we are moving it
through diplomatic means to your house directly or a safe and secured location
of your choice using diplomatic courier services.
But can we trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take your 30% out and
keep our own 70%. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the
funds can be sent to. Our own part is sending it to you.
Please all further correspondence should be via e-mail at
bdonovanblake@aol.com, so as to enable me send more information to
your hopeful co-operation in the aspect of this
business transaction.
If you are interested I will furnish you with more details.
Awaiting your urgent response.
Your Buddy.
Sgt Donovan Blake
God Bless America
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