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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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)
- "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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- mangerjosh@rambler.ru (Rambler; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Stephen Agu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mangerjosh@o2.pl>
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2011 00:39:34 +1000
Subject: Your Certified bank Draft
My Dear friend
How are you doing today? I hope all is well with you since the last time you were inform of this transaction involving an inheritance fund that was supposed to be cleared into your account, I want to inform you that the fund was successfully cleared into cleared into another person account because I have to present somebody who is capable of handling the transaction due to logistic reason and inconsistency from your part,
Right now I wish to compensate you with $1.5 million Dollars for the service rendered though you did not follow up but I feel you should not be ignored because your initial corresponding assisted greatly during the cost of this transfer.
Right now I have left a cheque of $1.5 Million us dollars with my secretary Mr. Josh Manger to forward to you since I have left the country for China for investment of my own part of the money, I have resign form the oil firm and will not be present to handle this transfer or delivery personally but Mr. Josh manger will be there to assist you concerning the procedure to forward the bank draft to you cash anywhere in the world, his contact details are below contact him now to collect the compensation cheque.
Name: Mr. Josh manger
Email: mangerjosh@rambler.ru
Contact him and further information will be given to you to accomplish the collection of your bank draft and please bear with me because that is the best I can do to appreciate your effort.
Sincerely
Stephen Agu
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