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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- okogu@presidency.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: UNITED NATIONS UNDER-SECRETARY <enquirieslloydstsn@live.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:04:34 +0000
Subject: United Nations Under-Secretary-General
Mr. Sha Zukang
United Nations Under-Secretary-General
Economic and Social Affairs.
Tel/Fax: 1-206-338-7512
1-206-337-3076
Dear Beneficiary,
Re: Payment notification as agreed by the MOU signed by the Acting President of Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Jonathan E.VIA ATM CARD DELIVERY
Following series of process and final transfer of fund via the Guaranty Trust Bank I am happy to inform you that your fund valued five million five hundred United States dollars has been made via ATM card.
A copy of an ATM card that your fund has been loaded into will be attached and sent to you by Dr. Brigh Okogu, with this card you can withdraw your fund at any location in the world. It must be informed that the government has instructed that this card should be sent to you via the Nigeria Postal Service NIPOST being that country's regular postal and mailing system here that does not cost you money except the STAMP DUTY that will be used for the postal which is less than $100.
In view of this I have submitted the card and the documents that will back it up to the NIPOST Lagos office Marina Lagos, and they are waiting for your mail and a response through the Budget Officer Dr.Bright Okogu with Email: (okogu@presidency.com), as soon as you contact him your card will be dispatched to your address that you will forward to him together with your full names.
If by any chance your address has changed I employ you to send me the new address to him. As soon as I receive this money I assure you that your card and the legal documents will be dispatched to you. I have also copied the Nigerian budget officer about this development for record purpose.
God bless you.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Sha Zukang
United Nations Under-Secretary-General
Economic and Social Affairs.
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