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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- 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!
- 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.
- +447045789205 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- mmegaalbert1010@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. Albert Mmega" <officialminister@gmail.com>
Reply-To: albertmmega1@w.cn
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:16:17 -0500
Subject: Dear Praiseworthy Winner,
BarclayS Bank London
Vicarage Field Centre, Ripple Road. IG11 8DQ
7ND, UK-020 8258 0430
Credit / Telex Department
From the Desk of Rev. Albert Mmega
Direct Line: +447045789205
Email: mmegaalbert1010@gmail.com
Our Ref; Hfxb/ukscl/b-07
Dear Praiseworthy Winner,
I am Rev. Albert Mmega, Deputy General Manager Credit / Telex Department
BarclayS Bank London. The mentioned bank is known for the safekeeping of
special and valuable packages and baggages in trust for reputable clients
that are honest and trustworthy.
We work in collaboration with top firms and Governments of various
countries as we have earned a name as a service whose hallmarks in
reliability and confidentiality are revered. International missions and
Embassies of the world have used our services to satisfaction.
We received a payment credit instruction from THE PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT
PREMIER LOTTERY UK that your email address has won you Six Million Dollars
Only in this 2011 European Union Premier Lottery Online Email Draw. Your
email address emerged as one of the forty five final recipients of cash
grant/donation of Six Million Dollars Only to salvage your finances and to
develop your community in this Year. This cash grant is a gift and you
will never be required to pay it back.
Be informed that our method of payment is by ATM Card.
Note that every arrangement regarding your payment through ATM Card has
been made; your funds has been loaded in to an ATM card and ready for
delivery.
You are advice to email us the information listed bellow to enable us
carry out the consignment.
Your Full Name: ______________________________
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code not
P.O.BOX): ______________________________
Name of City of Residence: _______________________________
Country: ____________________________________
Direct Telephone Number:
____________________________________
Mobile
Number:____________________________________
Fax
Number:___________________________________
Occupation:________________________________
Get back to me through the following email address revalbert1@live.com or
albertmmega@w.cn
Yours Faithfully.
Rev. Albert Mmega
Deputy General Manager
Credit / Telex Department
BarclayS Bank London
Direct Line: +447045789205
Email albertmmega@w.cn
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