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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- fred_agoha@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: John Nelson <johnnelson286@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: John Nelson <fred_agoha@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 16:14:41 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Hello My Good Friend.
Hello My Good Friend.
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. You may not understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.
I am using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-Dollars business deal has been concluded with another person who later financed it to a logical conclusion. I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund to my new partner's account in Cech Republic that was capable of assisting me in this great venture.
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed during the course of the transaction we want to compensate you and show our gratitude to you with the sum of $1,000.000.00 (One Million United States Dollars) I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you an international certified bank draft cashable at your bank.
My dear friend I will like you to contact the Security Company immediately for the Release of your compensation funds to you for your past effort in complying with me and my new partner We have authorized them to release the fund to you as soon as you contact them regarding this issue
At this moment, I 'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I and my new partner are having at hand. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of our heart. Also comply with the Security Company so that they will Transfer your funds to you without any delay.
So feel free and get in touched with them and you should send them your full Name and telephone number/your home address and Bank account information where you want them to transfer the funds into.
The name and contact address of the Person with your Cheque is as follows.
Name: Fred Agoha
Email: fred_agoha@hotmail.com
Phone: +22968664613
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Regards
Barrister John Nelson
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Anti-fraud resources: