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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)
- "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)
- 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.
- diamond.donation2@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Harold Diamond" <diamond.@woody.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "diamond.donation2@yahoo.com" <diamond.donation2@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2016 04:26:49 +0900 (JST)
Subject: PAYMENT NOTICE
Dear Friend,
This might come as a surprise to you. My wife and I have awarded you with a donation sum (Four Million Nine hundred thousand United States Dollars) from part of our Mega Millions Jackpot of USD$326 Million. I believe this will come at right hand and with this, you can also be of assistance to under privileged within your own community.
To verify the genuineness of this email and our winnings, please see our interview by visiting the web page below;
www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/01/13/retired-principal-wins-326-million-jackpot-in-new-york/21682481
Your email address was submitted to us from the Google Management Team and you received this email because we have listed you as one of the lucky beneficiary and all you have to do is get back to us with below details so that we can direct our Bank to effect valid Bank Draft in your name to your operational bank account in your country.
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Full Name:
Age:
Sex:
State:
Country:
Mobile/Tel:
THIS IS YOUR DONATION CODE: [ 2015071 ]
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Note That You Might Receive This Message In Your Inbox Or Spam Or Junk Folder Depends On YourWeb Host. Please Do Not Reply If You Are Not The Rightful Owner Of This Email Address.
I'm given this money away to people who need it more than me.I have spend most of my wealth over a number of charities and organizations.
Send back the DONATION CODE : [ 2015071 ] with your information reqiure by responding back to email at ( diamond.donation2@yahoo.com ) for more details.
FURTHER VERIFICATION, WATCH ME HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1cOZNNPbQ
I shall send you more information as soon as I get your response as instructed in this mail message.
Congratulations & Happy Celebrations in Advance,
Best Regard.
Mr. Harold Diamond
The Mega Millions Jackpot 2015
My Email: ( diamond.donation2@yahoo.com )
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Anti-fraud resources: