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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:
- "million us 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)
- "00,000.00" (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 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.
- uncompcommitee@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. N Felix" <x5felix@att.net>
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:51:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION PAYMENT OFFICE
UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION PAYMENT OFFICE
Dr.N Felix
Finance Consultant: United Nations Compensation Payment Committee.
Urgent Attn ,
Sir,
This is to inform you that a compensation of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million US Dollars) has been allocated to you by the United Nations Compensation Payment Committee.This compensation is for victims of trapped funds.
This amount has been loaded in an ATM MASTER CARD already and its on it will be delivered to you in your country.
You are hereby advice to furnish your delivery address and direct telephone number to enable our appointed us facilitate your ATM MASTER CARD delivery to your country. Do send your information to : uncompcommitee@gmail.com
Dr.N Felix
Financial Consultant.
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Anti-fraud resources:
