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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: The cooperative Bank <cooperativebanktcb@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:34:45 -0800
Subject: payment
FROM THE DESK OF:
Chaz Berkeley
The cooperative Bank
Roslindale
40 Belgrade Avenue
Roslindale,Massachusetts 02131
USA
Dear,
Your inheritance lottery payment has been approved by the Federal
Reserve New York.
We suppose transferring your fund today only the retention is for you
to confirm your bank account to allow us to complete your transfer,
because we do not want to make any mistakes at the end of your
USD$45million transfer of funds.
Please note that no charge will apply because 5% will be deducted from
your fund for bank transfer fees, and the funds from your total
balance will be transferred to you in 24 hours. Confirm your account
to avoid errors.
We are waiting to finish your urgent transfer.
YOURS IN SERVICE
Chaz Berkeley
Chief Financial Officer
The cooperative Bank Massachusetts
Roslindale
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Anti-fraud resources:
