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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:
- "million 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- davidadis.uk@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Joy Williams" <no-reply@microsoft.com>
Reply-To: ifincenus@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2017 09:04:21 -0700
Subject: Last Notice on your winning Payment !!
Attn: Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you that your last winning prize money with UK lottery will be cancel soon. You are advice to contact UK lottery agent in London today for your payment.
Ref number for claim.
No: 007pwyz2008
Amount: 2.5 Million United States Dollars.
You are also advised to provide with the under listed information as soon as possible to contact UK lottery agent
Contact person Mr.David A. Adis.
Email Address: davidadis.uk@gmail.com
Claims Requirements:
1.Name in full-----------------------------------------
2.Address----------------------------------------------
3.Nationality------------------------------------------
4.Age--------------------------------------------------
5.Occupation-------------------------------------------
6.Phone/Fax--------------------------------------------
7.Present Country--------------------------------------
===============================================================================================
If you do not contact Commonwealth Bank London UK Branch within 7 working days of this notification,your winnings would be revoked.Winners are advised to keep their winning details/information from the public to avoid fraudulent claim (IMPORTANT)pending the transfer/claim by Winner.
Congratulations.Accept my hearty congratulations once again!
Regards
Mrs. Joy Williams.
(United Kingdom Lottery Manager)
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Anti-fraud resources:
