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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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.
- 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.
- boabankbenin@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Robert Golo <robert_golo2007@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: smith.wiliam@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:05:09 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: HELLO YOUR FUND RELEASE ORDER
HELLO YOUR FUND RELEASE ORDER
I am Dr . ROBERT GOLO of BOA BANK OF AFRICA. This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry activities going on world wide.
The World Bank Group has Mandated the BOA BANK OF AFRICA via my Office to release funds to beneficiaries through Cash delivery, Hence Your Name appears as one of The fund beneficiaries whom their fund was successfully cleared recently From Terrorist and Money laundry and your money will be released to you
Through International Cashier's Bank Draft that will be cashable from any International Bank in the world, cash delivery and by onlin bank transfer been the only way you would receive Your money to avoid paying excess charges.As regard to this arrangement,you are advised to contact the telex director Mr. Tony Thomas through his direct email: boabankbenin@yahoo.com
CONTACT MR. TONY THOMAS WITH THE CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.
DIRECT EMAIL:. boabankbenin@yahoo.com
DIRECT TEL: +234 7039 875 722
Thanks for your maximum co-operation.
Dr. ROBERT GOLO
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