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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:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "atmpayment.center1@o2.pl" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- 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.
- atmpayment.center1@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "DR LARRY FORTE" <email_contact@sify.com>
Reply-To: <atmpayment.center1@o2.pl>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:24:35 +0100
Subject: Good Day
Attention: Beneficiary,
This is to inform you that we have reconcile with the issuing Bank for the release of your fund which is in line with an Irrevocable Order issued out by the joint meeting of this Office and the Presidency of Republic Of Benin Government to ensure all overdue fund are settled on or before 2010.
Did you authorized Mr. Hall Chop to receive your fund in your behalf he send his Details in China?) To send the atm card to him. If you did not authorized Mr David Chop to receive your money on your behalf, You are advise to get back to us very fast with your below information.
Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your ATM Payment Card. Send your information which they will use to send the card to you.
1::Your full name::
2::Your home address were you want them to send the atm card::
3::Current occupation::
4::Age::
5::Your current home telephone number/mobile phone number:: ::
6::A Copy of your identification::
However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your Atm Card.
Dr Jerry Ibezim JP,
Direct phone +22998418499
ATM Payment Intercontinental Bank Plc
Email Address: atmpayment.center1@o2.pl
The Payment has been approved via VISA CREDIT CARD which is registered
with FDIC New York and USA Banks can read this card as it is in partnership with Visa International and can be used through any e-payment channel(ATM and POS terminal) where visa is accepted.
You are to respond back with your delivery address hence you cannot come
to Benin to pick it by yourself free of charge.
Thanks and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Dr.Larry Forte
Republic Of Benin
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