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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr. Pascal Wellington" <s_e64@ymail.com>
Reply-To: pascalwellington@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:17:36 +1000 (GMT-10)
Subject: BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Office for the Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs,
Integrated Regional Information Network London UK
Attn;
We have been receiving complaints from many foreigners with reference to
the scam activity's of African Scammed and there partners all over the
world. In an attempt to reconcile Nigeria with such affected countries as
yours the Sum of £750,000.00 GBP has been mapped out as re-compensation to
each victim.
Note that the NFIU/BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION mapped out payment by Draft as
the only genuinely certified means of payment, hence your recompense
amount has been issued in Draft which shall be sent to you immediately
through which you can cash your money. Kindly send your mailing address
where the Draft will be mailed to together with your direct tel number.
Yours in service
Barr. Pascal Wellington
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
SPONSORSHIP
You must go ahead and send your DHL A/c Number to enable us dispatch your
draft to you through DHL Courier Service. On the other hand, if you do not
have an account with DHL courier service then get back to me so that i
will know what to do.You can call me anytime on phone
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Anti-fraud resources:
