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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "AU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <africaunion@e-mail.ua>
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 00:18:27 +0100
Subject: FUND RELEASE/COMPENSATION UNIT.
Dear Respected Victim,
During the recent EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE AFRICAN UNION on the 17th Ordinary Session held 22– 23 July 2010 in Kampala, Uganda I was mandated by H.E JEAN PING, CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION to compensate scam victims all over the world.
Your Name was short listed among scam victim who will received the total sum of $1million USD From AFRICAN UNION Reserve account in Pan African International Bank.
Reasons:
(1)Beneficiary has spent a lot of money trying to help but no consignment delivered.
(2)Legal Adviser and diplomat have made things worst for their consignment to be delivered.
(3)Scam Victims are living in a poor situation of life from Fake Organization and other bodies.
(4)Loan and Inheritance funds applied for are not paid to the beneficiaries.
Upon hearing their plight, THE AFRICAN UNION granted the request for compensation to all short listed names of scam victim hence this mail was forwarded to you by the release committee for Pan African International Bank to effect transfer via swift online wire transfer to your nominated local bank account.
THE AFRICAN UNION has made things easier for you. Your funds has been deposited for instant transfer of $3million USD transfer via Pan African International Bank.
Details required by Pan African International Bank for transfer are as follow:
Bank Name::................
Bank Address:.........
Bank City:..................
Pan Number:.................
Bank Swift Code:............
Mobile Number:.........
A Proper International Identification (example, international Passport or drivers license)
You must cut of all contact from all scam syndicates and provide us with their details and any relevant information that will lead to their arrest and prosecution in the African Union's Court.
Dr John Barben
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Anti-fraud resources:
