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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:
- 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:
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: reince priebus <"WWW."@herb.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: reince priebus <reincepriebus06@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2017 21:25:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS
WHITE HOUSE
This Email is from White House. This is Mr.Reince priebus, White House chief
staff,am writing this to inform you about your ATM VISA CARD Draft brought by the
United Embassy from the Government Of Benin Republic In The White House
Washington DC The ATM VISA CARD Have Been Mandated to be deliver to your
address tomorrow morning by White House Delivery Agent Mr. John David, reconfirm the
following..
Your name-------
Home address-------
Cell phone number------
Country-------------
Nearest airport-------
Furthermore the attorney will go to the inland revenue tax office to obtain a letter of administration tax clearance approval will cost only $200 on your behalf from high Court.
Contact your Agent Mr. John David number immediately (208)-689-7719
Thanks for Your Understanding,
Best Regard:
Mr.Reince priebus
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Anti-fraud resources:
