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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 united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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. )
- 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.
- mrobiedoaguba@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Master Card <OnlineBanking@abelia.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Master Card <mrobiedoaguba@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2015 10:14:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attn:Code 05
Attn:Code 05
Your e-mail has been found in the Central Computer among the list of
unpaid foreign recipients. Thereby the United State government has
directed an initial expense payment of $17.5 Million United State
Dollars to each 36 recipients and you are among those recipients to
receive the expense payment of USD $17.5 Million United State Dollars
scheduled to paid between today till 30th of next month.
Payment is to be effected through any of the means below
Wire Transfer
Online Banking
Cheque
Drop Transfer
Master Card/Visa Card
Failure to indicate a receipt of this email within 72hrs will be
perceived as non acceptance of the offer and will result in your name
been omitted from the list and your payments issued to another
recipient. In order to proceed with this transaction, You are required
to forward the following information: contact Email
mrobiedoaguba@yahoo.com i look forward to hear from you soon okay
Your Full Name--------------
Your Country--------------------
Your City----------------- ------
Your Tell---------------- -------
Your Id-------------------- -----
Restoration Office.
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