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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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.
- captrichmicheal@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "CAPT. MICHAEL RICHARD" <johnakouvi@gmail.com>
Reply-To: captrichmicheal@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2016 04:32:53 -0700
Subject: From: Capt. Michael Richard
Dear Sir/Madam
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I know you
may be skeptical to reply my mail based on what is happening on the
internet world. I want to solicit your attention to receive money on
my behalf.
I am Capt. Michael Richard, a member of the US ARMY medical team
deployed to Iraq because of the current ISIS problems. I discovered
trunk boxes containing American dollar bills. I have deposited two of
these boxes with a security company here in Iraq. Am looking for a
trust worthy individual who will assist me to receive the funds in his
country before l will come over and join the person. Please, I want
this to be between you and I since am still in the service.
For reference click the link below
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_military_intervention_against_ISIS
www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/iraq-options
www.cnn.com/2014/08/20/world/meast/iraq-crisis/
If you can be trusted, I will explain further when i get a response
from you. Nevertheless, re-confirm the following to me as follows.
(a) Your full Names
(b) Your physical mailing address
(c) Your direct telephone numbers
(d) Your occupation.
Please ensure to reply via my private e-mail address:captrichmicheal@gmail.com
God bless you and thanks for your cooperation in advance.
Capt. Michael Richard
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Anti-fraud resources:
