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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:
- 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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "microsoft-lotteryagent@mirco-clams.org" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
Fraud email example:
From: =?utf-8?Q?Microsoft=C2=AE?= Corporation Board
<notification@justaswe.com>
Reply-To: =?utf-8?Q?Microsoft=C2=AE?= Corporation Board
<microsoft-lotteryagent@mirco-clams.org>
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:53:03 +0000
Subject: Awaiting Your Respond.
[Description: Microsoft.com Visual History]
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INNOVATION PARK
SANTA CLARITA
RYE CANYON LOOP SUITE 300
CA 91355
UNITED STATES.
Dear Sir/Madam
 Microsoft Corporation wish to notify all online customers as we
celebrates this year Ending Promotion Award; and also to inform you
that you have emerged one of the beneficiary Selected in this ongoing
Promotion Award Program in conjunction with the Foundation of Software
Products (F.P.S.) The Microsoft internet E-mail draw is held
periodically and is organized to encourage the users of the Internet
and promote computer literacy worldwide. Your e-mail addresses
was-pick randomly by software powered by the Internet.
 A Cheque will be issued in your name by Microsoft Corporation Board
USA(MCSP), you have therefore won the entire sum of (U.S.$450,000.00)
FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND U.S. DOLLARSÂ which consequently won
in the 1st category.
For processing, you are advised to contact cash aid documentation
officer Contact:
Mr. James WellmanÂ
Email:Â microsoft-lotteryagent@mirco-clams.org
[https://app.justaswe.com/campaigns/qs1098777dede/track-url/jn4683xrfba9b/4ee348a86a82fb1c96d77ce1d6714e288af9c269]Â
Provide below information for validation of your prize.Â
.Residential Address:Â
.Tel (Mobile):Â
. Nationality/Country:Â
. Full Name:Â
. Age/Sex:Â
. Occupation/Position:Â
. Alternative email account if any:Â
. What is your comment On Microsoft Products?Â
Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of Microsoft Board
Commission. To file for your claim, please contact your Validating
Officer for VALIDATION of your winning within Twenty-nine working days
of this winning notification.©2023Microsoft Corporation®
Sincerely,
MR JAMES WELLMAN
Microsoft Promotion Award Team.
.©2023Microsoft Corporation®
Â
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Anti-fraud resources:
