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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- 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.
- registradeskinfo@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- contact the conference secretariat via email: registradeskinfo@aim.com as soon as possible for registration. yours sincerely, mrs. (Aim; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Sonia T. Desmond" <thomas.gondwe@unza.zm>
Reply-To: soniadesmond455@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:06:35 +0200 (CAT)
Subject: 2013 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE INVITATION!
Dear Sir/Madam,
On behalf of (CWV) Children as Victims of War, It is my pleasure to invite you to International conference on Political Crisis and Human Trafficking, taking place from May 21st – 24th 2013 in the United States and in Madrid Spain from May 27th – 31st 2013.
Successful registered participants are entitled to meals and accommodation which will be provided during their stay in the U.S.A only. Participant Air Tickets for both venues will be sponsored by our organization and donors.
Note: If you are a holder of an international passport that may require visa to enter the United States Or Spain, you may inform the conference secretariat at the time of registration, as the organizing committee is responsible for all visa arrangements and travel assistance.
If you are interested in attending and for fast respond contact the conference Secretariat via email: registradeskinfo@aim.com as soon as possible for registration.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Sonia Desmond
soniadesmond455@yahoo.co.uk
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Anti-fraud resources:
