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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "brettmccorriston@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Brett McCorriston" <info@mail.com>
Reply-To: brettmccorriston@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:01:27 -0400
Subject: Can You Use This Funds For Good?
Dear Friend,
My name is Brett McCorriston a merchant of Paris but currently base in Nevada Las Vegas Cartgate Ct United states. I have been diagnosed with O-esophageal cancer which has defiled all forms of medical treatment now i have only few weeks to live here on earth.
I am in need of a trustworthy and reliable person who will use some funds am giving out for charity ($5 Million Dollars) to build an orphanage home or start up a charity organization in areas in need, Please reply to my email for more details as i have but a little time left as i will be much happy with myself at the end if you can sincerely set up an orphanage home in your Country to help cater for the welfare of the poor and homeless children in the society, Contact me via my secured email: brettmccorriston@outlook.com
God be with you.
Regards
Brett McCorriston
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Anti-fraud resources:
