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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "with absolute secrecy" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "CHRISTOPHER PARKER (ESQ.)" <info@chriparkerchambers.org>
Reply-To: christopherparker@lawyer.com
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:09:55 +0800 (PHT)
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL.
Hello Friend,
I apologize if the contents of this email is contrary to your moral
ethics. I humbly solicit your immediate assistance. Though this mail may
come to you as a surprise, due to the high level of crime emanating from
the internet. But please treat with absolute secrecy and personal.
I am Barrister Christopher Parker, Attorney to your late uncle Mr. James ,
whom was my client when he was alive.Ever since he died in September 2009
with his family in an auto accident,have been trying to contact you or any
other relations of his who will stand as the deceased next of kin to
inherit his $10million fixed deposit he made with a security company here
in the United kingdom.Since the fix deposit has elapsed December 2010.
The finance house wants to know if the next of kin will want to roll the
fixed deposit for another 10years or make the withdrawal immediately, so
they have ask me to come up with my late client next of kin details.
Please get back to me as soon as possible with your information as place
below if you wish to make withdrawal of your fund.
1. Full Names
2. Present Occupation
3. Age
4. Contact Address
5. Any of your proof Identification
6. Phone and Fax number
As soon as I get this information from you I will start preparing all
legal documents that we are going to use for the application.Also I will
disclose your Uncle detail to you once i verify your information that you
are the rightful person am look for.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Christopher Parker (Esq).
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