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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:
- "bkofafrica@barid.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Bank Of Africa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <payment_bkofafrica@mail.bg>
Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2015 19:43:10 +0800
Subject: Dear Beneficiary, Your Urgent Attention Is Needed.
Esteemed Customer,
This to inform you That Africa union (AU) has started releasing scam victims compensation fund mandated by United Nation Organization and African Union ( AU ) through our office. The Board of Directors, Bank Of Africa (BOA) has ordered it's Foreign Payment Remittance Unit to commence on your transfer.
Our agent has commence with your transfer today, We needed your urgent response so that your payment information can be release to you.
You can call our office hot line for urgent attention ( +22998758057 Benin Republic) Or ( +233549160294 Accra Ghana )
Our pleasure to be of your service.
Sincerely,
Dr. Frank Ruben J.
Email: bkofafrica@barid.com
Phone: +22998758057
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This message and any attachment are confidential and may be privileged or Otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended Recipient, please telephone or email the sender and delete this message and any attachment from your system.
If you are not the intended Recipient you must not copy this message or attachment or disclose the Contents to any other person. Please consider the environmental impact before printing this document and its attachment(s). Print black and white and double-sided where possible. Registered © 2011 - 2015 Bank of Africa Group All Right Reserved -----
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Anti-fraud resources:
