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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)
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- patrickobot816@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Patrick Obot" <patrickobot73@yahoo.com.au>
Reply-To: patrickobot816@yahoo.com.au
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:50:54 +0300
Subject: Dear Partner
--
Dear Friend,
I am Real Estate Lawyer Patrick Obot The issue I am presenting to you is
a case of my client,who has deal of sixty MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS
ONLY(60,000.000).I wish to intimate you with a request that would be of
immense Benefit to both of us.
The issue I am presenting to you is a case of my client)who died on the
same day in the One-Two-Go Orient-Thai Airlines flight, the most
unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died and I can not claim this
funds with out your assistance as I will present you as the next-of-kin
with the necessary documents that will bear your name.
If you are interested send down the following personal details to me and
as soon i hear you we will proceed but you are advised to keep
everything regards to this business very confidential.
I am waiting for your urgent reply so that we will starts immediately on
how the fund will move to you in your country through the bank or
through UN envoy means. Email:patrickobot816@yahoo.com.au
Regards,
Barrister Patrick Obot.
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