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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:
- "high court" (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.
- 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.
- officialmails29@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Philip Johnson" <officialmails29@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 03:24:42 +0200
Subject: Urgent Reply Needed!!!
--
We knew is very difficult for you to understand because it has being
long time
you are waiting for your ATM Master Card but right now things are
really work
out to your expectation.
You have to understand that your file has gotten to office of ATM Swift
Card
and already finalized all the necessary arrangement, beside most
original Card
presently is ATM MASTER CARD and is being sent from Africa is 95% while
visa
card is 55%.
Office of ATM Swift Card department wants you to understand that
everything is
in order (ECO-WAS HIGH COURT WEST AFRICA) Decided to pay you via ATM
MASTER
CARD which worth sum of $5.5 USD
For activation of your Card pin number and also cover the insurance
coverage
to
enable you have access of withdraw once you cash up your ATM Master
Card
include you ID Card
Include you information
Youâre name
Youâre country
Youâre home address
Youâre Tel phone number
Thanks for you co-operation:
Dr.Philip Johnson
FROM HIGH COURT BENIN
(officialmails29@gmail.com)
Phone +229 9979 1989
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Anti-fraud resources: