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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:
- "cathybills0001@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "JULIE CATHY BILLS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cathybills0001@live.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:17:21 -0000
Subject: READ
Hello Dear ,
I am Julie Cathy Bills i live in Paper Marchant Industry , a subsidiary of
Paper Industry
3412 OLD Trafford Road Manchester City and i got your contact on my
personal search of the person i want to will my money to.Please i willed
the some million of US Dollars to you,that is the only money left in my
account right now. Some thing in me told me that you are the right person
that can execute this dream for me before i will pass away,
Please contact the bank manager whose name and address i will give you as
soon as you reply this mail.My bank will help you transfer this money that
i have willed to you. Right now i am in the hospital emailing you with my
lap top computer and i will tell you my story as soon as i hear from you.
Reply through cathybills0001@live.com
Thank you for your understanding.
God bless
Julie Cathy Bills
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Anti-fraud resources:
