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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barr.edwardbrianhayes@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Harriet Aldson Shelton." <harrie@tellfort.nl>
Reply-To: barr.edwardbrianhayes@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:13:58 -0800
Subject:
HUMANITARIAN CONTRACT WORK
It has been a while I heard from you regarding my proposal to help me complete
the contract work. I have given my lawyer the legal document and deed of
contract from the British High Court regarding the sum of $3,500,000USD to you
to carry out the contract of helping the orphans and less privileges. The deal
was given to me but due to my health condition I have decided to
transfer it to
a trustworthy person like you.
Barrister Edward Hayes will hand over all the Copy of Will and document to you
immediately you contact him via: barr.edwardbrianhayes@yahoo.com.hk and tell
him that you are now the new contractor to $3,500,000USD for a specific good
work as registered and signed by me in the British High Court.
Thanks,Mrs. Harriet Aldson Shelton.
(CEO/M.D SHELTON?S OPHANAGE HOME)
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Anti-fraud resources: