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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:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- paymentdepartment255@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Steve Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paymentdepartment255@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2021 07:29:57 -0800
Subject: Dear Beneficary
Dear Beneficary
The sum of $4.5 million out of your over due total sum has been approved for payment through ATM cash card system after
all attempts to pay you through bank, and diplomatic courier failed.
The approved sum has been programmed into the ATM cash card which will be dispatched to you through your address upon reconfirmation. I have made several attempts to contact you and this is the 3rd and perhaps the last email to you in respect to this matter.
Meanwhile, I received a power of attorney from one CAM BELL WILLIE from USA purportedly issued by you asking us to change the fund beneficiary to his name
hence we are seeking for your confirmation as soon as possible to this end,
You should Kindly Re-confirm these information to me and send to my email below(paymentdepartment255@gmail.com)
(1) Your Full Names:-
(2) Address:-
(3) Your Phone Numbers:-
(4) Occupation :
(5)Age:
NOTE: As soon as your details is confirm we will proced with delivery
Regards,
Dr Steve Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
