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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.
- 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:
- ",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.
- 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.
- +447031819340 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- un-org@maktoob.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "United Nations Organization Scotland" <un.org1@w.cn>
Reply-To: un-org1@maktoob.com
Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:31:19 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: YOU HAVE BEEN COMPENSATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GRANT AWARD PROGRAM(UNFSGAP)
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION(U.N.O)
MR.BAN KI-MOON
We Wish to inform you that you have been financially supported by the
United Nations Organization with $1,000,000,00 Grant Award for the 2010
United Nations Grant Award Program.
Your Email id was among the selected Id to be compensated and to apply for
the release of your fund you are requested to send the following.
Full Name...............
Address.....................
Age..........................
Tel No.....................
Nationality...............
To:
Mr A.Ahmed
THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
2010 UNITED NATION (UN)
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
ASIA CENTER JAKARTA INDONESIA
Email: un-org@maktoob.com
So contact them immediately for immediate procession and release of your
grant to you.
NOTE THAT NOBODY OR EVEN THE APPOINTED BANK HAS THE RIGHT TO TOUCH, DEDUCT
OR GET ACCESS TO YOUR GRANT AWARD MONEY FOR ANY REASON. THEY HAVE BEEN
WARNED STRICTLY!
Sincerely Yours,
Mr James Alberto
(ANNOUNCER)
UNITED NATION
SCOTLAND,UK
+447031819340
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Anti-fraud resources: