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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "national lottery promotion" (no such lottery exists)
- 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)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
Fraud email example:
From: FaceBook Lottery organisation <office----offi3185@att.net>
Reply-To: coordinator_l@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:03:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: AWARD WINNING NOTICE FROM FACEBOOK
AWARD WINNING NOTICE FROM FACEBOOK
Dear Lucky Winner,
We are Pleased to inform you that your email was selected among the winning numbers of the recently Lotto conducted from the Face Book Website and we shall be glad if you can claim your winning prize US$2,500,000,00. View the website bellow and make sure you response back
For more details View the website : http://promotiontx.media.officelive.com/default.aspx
An original copy of your lucky winning Certificate will be sent to you by Administrative Post Office Operation Issuing Paying Bank Thailand that is in charge of your payment. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Once again from all members of our staff and thank you for being a part of our International Promotions program of the Year.
We wish you continued good fortunes.
Dr.Mrs.Rita Jecob.
FaceBook!! International Lottery
Promotion !!!
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Anti-fraud resources:
