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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "million us 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)
- "united state dollar" (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.
- kenblanco@mail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: KEN BLANCO <rfairbank16@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kenblanco@mail.com
Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2022 19:55:26 +0100
Subject: URGENT NOTICE
Good day to you!!
I am Mr. Ken Blanco was born in Oakland, California to parents who
emigrated from India and Jamaica. Graduated from Howard University the
University of California, Hastings College of Law.
I greet you with the name in the name of the LORD Almighty the giver
of every good thing. I know this letter may come to you as a surprise.
Nevertheless, I humbly ask you to give me your attention and hear me
well.
I would like to inform you that your funds issue worth the total sum
of $5Million US Dollars was brought to my office by Mr. Charles W.
Scharf the Chief Executive Officer WELLS FARGO BANK USA.
Mr. Charles W. Scharf stated that you have finally disclaim your
United Nations Compensation fund worth $30.5Million United State
Dollars and his purpose of visiting my office is to seek support and
have my signature on the documents for easy confiscation of your
Compensation to the government budget account since you don't want to
receive it.
But with humanitarian ground and sympathy I refused to sign the documents.
Moreover the cost for clearance and authrization of this fund will
cost $109 only this is the only fee required.
This is a lifetime opportunity and we will advise you to take
advantage of it before it will become too late to do so. This could be
the last opportunity you might have in receiving your ATM package so
do not fail to notice this wonderful moment to have your fund that you
have been looking for a way to make it reality.
This is an official notification and we advise you treat it with utmost urgency.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
Yours Faithfully,
(kenblanco@mail.com)
Mr. KEN BLANCO
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