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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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "David James" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <djames776@live.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 22:30:19 -0800
Subject: Re: Transfer of Fund/ Change of Account
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Union Bank Tower,
21-24; Mil bank
Lagos SW1P 4QP
NIGERIA .
Attention: Unpaid Beneficiary
Re: Transfer of Fund/ Change of Account
We wish to inform you that we have received a change of account Notification from your lawyer that your outstanding inheritance/ contract claim should be transferred to the bankers stated below.
Banco de Brazil
78, Peli Ro validana R93 Rio Brazil
Account No: 7283633663
Swift Code: BDB67347 BZ
Beneficiary: Intila Consulting Group Bz
We will credit the said beneficiary through our appointed Correspondent Bankers, if we don’t get an immediate confirmation from you in the next 72hours and the total claim value for remittance is US$1.5Million as part-Payment.
The details below are needed for confirmation of Final credit.
1. Your Name and address ........................
2. Direct Telephone Number .......................
3. Fax Number ....................................
4. Banking details if Different from the one stated above ...........................
5. Copy of your identification ..........................
Thanks for your understanding.
Sincerely
Mr. David James
Financial consultant
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Anti-fraud resources:
