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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:
- "money gram" (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. )
- "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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- markmorgan9060@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Jonathan David <davidjonathan5060@gmail.com>
Reply-To: markmorgan9060@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:16:49 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION
It is my pleasure to inform you that your funds is deposited in Money
Gram remitting office. we hereby write to inform you that we have sent
your full compensation payment of Sixteen Million Dollars through
Money Gram. You will be receiving the sum of $5000 USD twice Per week
and we have send you the first payment. You're advised to contact the
regional manager Sir Mark Morgan and ask him to give you the Money
Gram payment information so that you can be able to pick up your First
payment of your funds through Money Gram office closer to you without
any problem.
Contact person: MD. Mark Morgan
Email: markmorgan9060@gmail.com
YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT HIM WITH THIS:19854419916
CONTACT HIM WITH YOUR FULL INFORMATION SUCH AS DISPLAYED BELOW:
1. Full name .........
2. Country...........
3. Contact Address.........
4. Telephone Number ......
5. Marital Status .........
6. Occupation ...........
7. Company .............
8. Age.................
NOTE: Do contact him right now so that he can be able to process your
pick up information as soon as possible.
Yours Faithfully,
Barr. E. Adams.
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