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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- pgeuipments@engineer.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "PG EQUIPMENTS" <info@pg.com>
Reply-To: pgeuipments@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2019 06:51:45 -0500
Subject: Potential Client equiries
PG EQUIPMENT
Woodway Lane
Alma Park
Leicestershire
LE17 5FB
United Kingdom
Tell +44 1455 220233
Fax: +44 1455 220025
Email:pgeuipments@engineer.com
www.pginstruments.com
Are you a professional? Do you own a company? We seek a reputable and honest individual/entity who can represent/collect debts on behalf of our company in your area. Your expertise is highly recommended. Note:5% commission for each payment you receive on Behalf of our Company.
Please accept my sincerest appreciation in advance for your willingness to render your services to our Company as we look forward to your prompt response to our request.Contact Email:pgeuipments@engineer.com
Regards,
Mr. Derrick D. Gilleasbuig
(Regional Executive Director)
www.pginstruments.com
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Anti-fraud resources: