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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "lagos" (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.
- 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.
- zenithbankofficereport@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "ZENITH BANK NIGERIAN PLC" <fedbackofficereport@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: zenithbankofficereport@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:13:39 -0000
Subject: THE FINAL NOTIFICATION REGARDING YOUR FUND
ZENITH BANK NIGERIAN PLC
56 Broad Street,
Lagos
Tel:+2347063667037
Email: zenithbankofficereport@yahoo.com
This is to inform you over the FUND release and this issue came to us after
the board of directors meeting in (ZENITH BANK) with CENTRAL BANK
AUDITORS. Please you should get back to us with your details such as CELL
PHONE, REAL NAME ,COUNTRY, OCCUPATION, ID CARD if possible your Passport
to enable us issue you the directives on how to receive your over due
payment Valued $17Million United States Dollars. Before 72 working hours
and you should stop further communication with any officer as of now and
get back to us immediately. as soon as possible for more directives on how
to release this payment. Please email me direct (
zenithbankofficereport@yahoo.com )or call +2347063667037 For more details.
Thanks,
BEST REGARDS
Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
ZENITH BANK MANAGING DIRECTOR.
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Anti-fraud resources:
