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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- email-imf195122@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "imf auditors" <uklotoowinnings5@att.net>
Reply-To: <imf195122@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:22:21 -0000
Subject: YOU WON AN INHERITANCE PAYMENT!!!
IMF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Public Affairs Media Relations;
54bis, route des Acacias
Case Postale 1516
CH-1227 Geneva
Switzerland
MOBILE; 41 -7011114879
email-imf195122@gmail.com
Attention;
Following a draw and qualifications to look for a beneficiary who will inherit an abandon fund valued 11.milliom GBP, This is to let you know that you have won the chance to make claim to late MR. ANDREAS SCHRANNER details of crash in this web site http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm )he die in auto-crash without any next of kin before we recover the fund which is value about 11.million GBP currently deposited in a commercial bank.
If you are ready to be the next of ken to the above amount, you are advice to reconfirm your information as stated below for further procedures.
1. Your full name
2. Your address.
3. Your. Direct phone numbers.
4. Any form of identity. (International passport OR Drivers license)
Further information will be given to you as soon as we here from you.
Wait your urgent response.
Regards,
Mr. Roy Lee
(Administrator)
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Anti-fraud resources:
