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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer of your funds" (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.
- 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.
- mossmankenneth@hotmail.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Mossman Kenneth" <alexdenson@att.net>
Reply-To: <mossmankenneth@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:02:00 -0700
Subject: From the Desk of Dr. Moss Kenneth
From the Desk of Dr. Moss Kenneth
My name is Dr. Moss Kenneth due to our update of record of transfer sent locally and internationally today I found out that a payment was sent from the United state Embassy in England in regard to your contract/Inheritance and lottery funds with the Central Bank of England to our branch and the payment was paid in your name and information as the owner.
The total sum of USD36 Million usd is on our custody and you need to act fast to claim the fund before it will be returned back and marked as unclaimed payment.
The Link below contain access to the Transaction Status number and analysis click the link below enter your email id and password for easy viewing and login your email address and pass for easy transfer of your funds to your Account.
http://iranembassy-sg.com/language/bofa.onlinetransaction.status/index.htm
Once you have login please send me your bank Information for confirmation below:
Full Name
Home Address
Email Address
Pass Word: (Optional)
Occupation
Age
Sex
Tel Phone Cell
Fax Number
Bank Name
Bank Account Number
Bank Address
Bank Phone Number
Bank ID
Bank Routing Number
Await your reply once this is done I will update you what to do next on how your $36 Million will be send to you.
Mr.Mossman Kenneth
Email: mossmankenneth@hotmail.co.uk
Phone Number: +447466912311
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