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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 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.
- seanmoore227@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Cyrus Abraham" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <seanmoore227@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2017 02:10:35 -0700
Subject: CONTACT MY ACCOUNT OFFICER FOR YOUR $2 MILLION
Dear Friend,
I wish to inform you about my success in getting the $20 million transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from USA. Presently I'm in USA for investment projects with my partner.
Meanwhile, i did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds despite the fact that it failed us some how.Hence,i have resolved to compensate you with the sum of $2 million.I want you to contact my Bank Account Officer to receive the $2 million dollars i left for you as your compensation..
His contact information is here below:
Name: SEAN MOORE.
Email: seanmoore227@yahoo.com
I have instructed him to pay you the total sum of $2 million dollars which I kept for you as your compensation for all your past efforts to assist me in this matter.
Please note that you are only expected to pay the sum of $250 only for the Bank Transfer Charges.
Do let me know immediately you receive the $2 Million dollars from him as directed,
Best regards,
Mr.Cyrus Abraham
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Anti-fraud resources:
