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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- raymondanan07@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "raymond Anan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <raymondanan07@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:05:19 -0000
Subject: RECONFIRM FOR PAYMENT.
Dear Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that your funds of US$2.5M (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United states Dollars) have been approved for immediate payment to you by the International Commercial Bank Ghana Limited, Republic of Ghana.
For the purpose of clarification, you are advised to reconfirm the information as given below:
1) Your full name and address
2) Phone, fax and mobile #.
3) Nationality & present location
4) Profession/nature of business
5) Age
This will enable the delivery of the above funds to your destination without any delay. I shall give the full details on how the funds will be transferred to you once you return this payment notification letter to me.
Kindly get back via email: raymondanan07@gmail.com
Your quick response will be highly appreciated.
Regards
Mr. Raymond Anan
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Anti-fraud resources:
