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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- 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.
- ups.service@kimo.com (Kimo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Hon Wilfred Lawrence" <officemail04@yippy.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:40:11 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Am waiting for your response
Attention Beneficiary, I am sorry to encroach you in this manner, I am
contact you with regards to the parcel brought to us by David Mark, to b=
e
delivered to you. This parcel was brought to our office here in Benin
Republic some time last week and we were given your email address to
contact you with. The parcel contain a ATM card of S1.5 Million USD. Ple=
ase
you are advised to fill the information below to commence on the deliver=
y.
FULL NAME__________ADDRESS____________PHONE
NUMBER__________COUNTRY____________ZIP CODE_________ CONTACT US THROUGH
THIS E-MAIL:
(ups.service@kimo.com)Phone Number: +229 9980 6903.
I await your urgent response.
Regards,Hon Wilfred Lawrence.
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Anti-fraud resources:
