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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- chrismartin.secretary@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- a faithful day and remain bless. chris martin chrismartin.secretary@gmail.com chrismartinsecretary2@gmail.com principal private (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Chris Martin" <medcons@five.ch>
Reply-To: chrismartin.secretary@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:35:08 +0100
Subject: RE: Attention: Beneficiary
--
Attention: Beneficiary,
Good-day to you. please i am sorry if i may have bulge into your
convenience but this was as a result of the present situation i
discovered yesterday morning while discharging my official duties with
the Prime Minister.
May i introduce my self to you first. My name is Chris Martin, I am the
Principal Private Secretary to David Cameron the Prime Minister of
United Kingdom. well while i came to the office yesterday morning my
boss as i mentioned previously directed me to burn down all the files in
his cupboard and tidy the entire office completely.
While i was doing that it occurred in my mind to go through one of the
files before burning them all so while going through it i discovered
that it was related to a certain payment of about {$10.5 Million Pounds
Sterling} that have already been programmed in an automatic teller
machine popularly known as "Atm card" and it was laminated on your name
and favor.
I quickly consulted my fellow staff in the office who was close to the
Prime Minister, then he told me in confidence that the Prime Minister
instructed to destroy the files so that they can divert the funds into
there own domiciliary account without the knowledge of the federation as
when the files are been searched. it will be declared that the payment
have been made to the beneficiary as there will be no evident to get
this confirmed.
Please be informed that this vital information is strictly
confidential, so i will advice you to contact me directly and i shall
direct you on how you will receive the "Atm card" and the funds
confidentially but if it is not important to you please do not disclose
this information to anyone as my life and job will be at risk.
I know that i have given out to you a vital information that will lead
you to greater height in future. like i requested before please let this
information remain confidential to you but i assure you that your file
and your "Atm card" are right now safe in my house as i will keep it for
you until you get back to me.
Have a faithful day and remain bless.
Chris Martin
chrismartin.secretary@gmail.com
chrismartinsecretary2@gmail.com
Principal Private Secretary of the Prime Minister of United Kingdom
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