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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:
- "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "stamp duty" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Fred Owen." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fredowen200@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 15:50:12 -0700
Subject: Re: Confirm The Receipt of this mail with Details.
Stanbic Bank Ghana
ATM Payment Center
Accra Ghana
Re: Confirm The Receipt of this mail with Details.
__________________________________________________
This is to inform you that your Accredited ATM card (SBG/XX/2182/GH) awarded for over due contract/inhenrittance payment of USD$4.500 Million USD with card number: 45636482631009 has been allocated in your favor Your Personal Identification Number is 4283. Did you instruct Mrs. Anna Moyes to collect your ATM CARD worth USD$4.500 million on your behalf? Get back to this office immediately you receive this message for confirmation and immediate action.
Confirm your personal information below to this office.
*COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW:
*Did you instruct Mrs. Anna Moyes to collect your ATM CARD?:....(Yes/No)
*Your Full Names:..........
*Residential Address: ............
*City:.................
*State:...............
*Country:...............
*Direct Phone Number#:..........
*Office Number#:.................
*Age:.........
*Occupation:...............
*Next of Kin:...............
*Relationship with next of Kin:..........
Stanbic Bank Ghana will take responsibility for the shipment of your ATM MASTER CARD to your residentail address so you will not have to pay for the shipment. The only money you will have to pay is $150.00USD for the Stamp duty and Authorization fee which has to be paid by the beneficiary. Upon confirmation of your details you will be provided with more information.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Mr. Fred Owen.
Stanbic Bank Ghana
ATM Payment Department
Accra Ghana
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