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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- msdianasmith155@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mike smith <barristermorganjames3434@gmail.com>
Reply-To: msdianasmith155@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2023 03:10:18 -0800
Subject: Attention Beneficiary
Attention Beneficiary: contact, (msdianasmith155@gmail.com )
We are writing this email to you and you should please respond to this
email very urgently. We have perfected modalities on how to Deliver
this fund to your house without any problem, but be aware that Bank of
America (BOA) and the government of USA has only authorized us the
release of Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
Only (US$D7,500,000.00) in cash. The Agent from the US Embassy will
deliver the fund on Wednesday march 2023 to Your State. Your urgent
response
to this email will facilitate the delivery, the Agent must leave
Wednesday February 2023as I have stated above but that can be done
if we can have the following information Below.
Your Scan Copy Of identification Card/ International Passport./
Your Full Name
Your Full Address
Direct Phone Number/whats app
Occupation
Once your information is received it will enhance the smooth delivery
of the fund Why the phone number and your home address are the most
important information required that is to enable the Agent to call you
on arrival to your State. Every arrangement is in top gear and only
you will make this a reality. Let us have the information above with
alacrity (msdianasmith155@gmail.com ) Note the fund will be brought to
your house
without Any Tardy.
Mike smith
CEO at Central Courier Service
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Anti-fraud resources:
