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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:
- "million 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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "Mr. Martin Cole" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrmc4054556@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:09:52 -0500
Subject: REF:-INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$7.5 Million Dollars)
Capital One Trust International
2 Warwick Cottage
Warwick Farm
Wendover Buckinghamshire
HP22 6ER London
REF:-INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF (US$7.5 Million Dollars)
My Name is Martin Cole and I am the Assistance Secretary of Capital One Trust International.
After due vetting and evaluation of your file that was sent to us by Central Bank Of Nigeria CBN and International Monetary Department in London.
This bank has an instruction to see to the immediate release of the sum of (US$7.5 Million Dollars) of your claim that has been on hold since it's transfer to your bank Account.
We were made to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by passing a lot of difficulties to see to the release of your fund which has been the handwork of some miscreant elements from that Country.
We advice that you stop further communication with any correspondence from anywhere concerning your funds, you don't have to pass through any difficult to receive your fund, as you have meet up with the whole requirements.
Note that your (US$7.5 Million Dollars) will be paid to you upon account normalization.
Kindly be advised to re-confirm the below information to us as soon as possible.
*Your Full Name
*Your contact Address
*Occupation
*Age
*Telephone for easy communication
Note that if no seriousness is seen from you, we have no choice but to cancel your unclaimed fund. We have no time to waste in this transaction any more.
Do see that you forward the required information's for instant normalization of your payment.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Cole.
Management.
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