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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +447024024135 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS. SONIA WERNER" <email@entermail.net>
Reply-To: kevinpagesdesk@medionmail.com
Date: Sun, 27 May 2012 19:06:06 -0130
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU !!
Hello,
Greetings to You. My name is Mrs Sonia Werner . I am 59 years old and
I was diagnosed of cancer about 2 years ago. I will be going in for an
operation later today.I decided to WILL/donate the sum of Fourteen Millions
Two Hundred Fifty Eight Thousand United States Dollars to you for the good
work of the lord.
Contact my lawyer with this email:
Name: Barrister Kevin Page
Email:kevinpagesdesk@medionmail.com
Tell: +447024024135
Tell him that I have WILLED 14.258M to you by quoting my
personal reference number LLP/953/900//316US/UK.
As soon as you contact him with this details quoted above, he should be
able to recognize you and help in claiming this amount from my
Bank.
Mean while you are advised to keep this mail and it contents confidential
as i really want my wish accomplish at the end of the day.Please do pray to God
for my soul. My friend please do not send me any email as you are to send my
barrister an email directly.
God Bless
Regards,
Mrs Sonia Werner
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Anti-fraud resources:
