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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:
- "you are advise 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.
- johnthomson503@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "UNITED NATION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <john.thomson123@onet.pl>
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:27:25 -0800
Subject: IRREVOCABLE RELEASE OF YOUR PAYMENT
I am Mr John Thomson, from the United Nations Regional office,Nigeria. I wish to inform you that we have actually decided to investigate the unnecessary delay of your payment recommended and approved claims for payment is certified as genuine in your favor.
We have also agreed with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF)that, we will handle this payment ourselves to avoid the hopeless situation created by these corrupt Officials. We have obtained Payment Order for your Payment, from the World Bank and International Monetary Funds (IMF). We are happy to notify you that based on our recommendation/instructions; the payment of US$ 10.000.000 (TEN MILLION, DOLLARS) will be released to you.
You are to contact this office immediately for clarifications on this matter as we shall be available 24 hrs to speak with you and give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your payment is wired to you immediately and also be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, as we will not be held responsible for any wrong payment.
You are advise to contact this office immediately with this E-mail:
johnthomson503@yahoo.com
Waiting to hear from you as soon as you receive this e-mail.
Regards
Mr John Thomson.
United Nations
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Anti-fraud resources:
