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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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "E-Payment unit" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmp47@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2011 09:09:09 -0700
Subject: Urgent Delivery
World Bank Auditors
African Regional Office
Plot 16 Shehu Musa Way
Abuja Nigeria
Tel:+234 815 386 7001
Attention:
I write to inform you that the New Government has withdrawn all impending fund in all our offshore banks and has given ultimatum to effect the delivery of your ATM CARD to your home address.
You should respond as directed earlier to enable me make the dispatch to your address.I guaranteed that all this years of agony in pursuance of this payment is over.The card will be in your home within three working days as comply as directed.
Congratulations,
Dr.Larry Forte
(Regional Officer)
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Anti-fraud resources:
