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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- 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.
- citig.roupss@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Morris Campbell <zmail@meindowers.com>
Reply-To: citig.roupss@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:36:00 -0400
Subject: Let Me Know When Received The Money..?
Dear Friend,
How are you doing. Hope you have not forgotten me I am Dr Morris Campbell the
man from Nigeria who contacted you sometime ago to assist me secure
the release
of some money accrued from the over invoicing of a
contract/inheritance that was
awarded by my government some time ago during the past regime.
Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction I'm happy to
inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the
assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil. Presently I am in
London-United Kingdom for investment projects with my own share of the
total sum.
Meanwhile i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in
transferring those funds I made sure you are not left out the benefit of the
transaction hence I kept aside for you sum of one million United
States Dollars
($1million) and it has been deposited in Citibank Nigeria Plc. I and my new
partner agreed to compensate you with that amount for all your past
efforts and
attempts to assist me in this matter. I appreciated your efforts at that time
very much so feel free and get in touch with the manager Rev Patrick
Smith (CEO)
and instruct him on how to send your fund to you.
Please do let me know immediately you receive your fund so that we can
share the
joy together after all the sufferings at that time. In the moment I am
very busy
here because of the investment projects which me and my partner are having at
hand finally remember that i had left instruction to my bank so as soon as you
contact Rev Patrick Smith (CEO) he will send your fund to you so feel free to
get in-touch with the bank NOW.
You are to contact the manager incharge of your fund with the below
information:
Name : Rev Patrick Smith (CEO) (Citibank Nigeria Plc).
E-mail: citig.roupss@hotmail.com
Phone #: +2348091399256
With Best Regards
Dr Morris Campbell.
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