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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:
- The following fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "cashiers check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- georgeosborne@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: From United Nation <mrss0016@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 04:32:58 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Directorate of International Payment
United Nations Assisted Program
Directorate of International Payment
United Nations Liaison Office - Africa
Fund Beneficiary,
This email is to notify you about the release of your outstanding
payment which is truly $4.7 million. The Federal Government scheduled a
time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes
Contract/Inheritance/Gambling/ Lottery (Sponsored by Microsoft and UK
National Lottery) and other international loans (IMMEDIATE CONTRACT
PAYMENT.CONTRACT #:MAV/NNPC/FGN/MIN/009).News had it that over the
past, numerous individual(s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to be
individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to release numerous
sums of fund via numerous ways.
You have two options to receive your payment which is either a Pin
Based ATM card or Certified Cashiers Check. You are advised to select
one out of the two options on how you wish to receive your $4.7
million. Your ATM card or Check/Bank Draft will be shipped via UPS
Shipping Company and would get to you within 2 to 3 working days at
most.DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees
for shipping your ATM card is $125.99 but because UPS have temporarily
discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package
is delivered for international shipping as stated on their website:
http://ups.com
We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the
fees reduce from the actual $125.99 to $96.99 nothing more and no
hidden fees of any sort! You are advised to contact the dispatch
officer responsible for the shipping of your Check or ATM card with
the following information for shipping of your payment Check or ATM
card.
Dispatch Officer:Rev George Osborne
Telephone: +234-8033-019-546
E mails :Rev georgeosborne@yahoo.co.uk
And provide him with the following information:
Full Name______ Country______ State______ City______ Zip Code______
Full Address______ Phone Number______ Occupation____ Sex______ Your
Age__________
Preferred Payment Method (Check or ATM):................
The dispatch officer will provide you with instructions on how you are
to make payment of the $96.99 only for the shipping of your ATM card or
Cashiers Check.
Remember that you are not paying any fees extra no matter what. Once
again note that the actual UPS Retail Price: $125.99 Your Price
(Because of our contract signed): $96.99 ($29.00 Savings!).
Respectfully,
Amb. Anthony Moore
UN Envoy (Afrian Region)
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Anti-fraud resources:
