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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:
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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: "BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bankcentrall1@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 17:36:24 -0400
Subject: CENTRAL BANK.
Attn Beneficiary.
My name is Lamido Sanusi, Governor central bank of Nigeria., $10.5musd approved today from Nigeria Oil Contract committe on your name as your inheritance. You are to receive $10.5musd from Federal Republic of Nigeria as a next of Kin to one late (Mr.JAMES WINDES)A contractor who suppose receieve $10.5musd from Nigeria before his sudden death on a plane crash 2008. May his soul Rest in Peace.You are hereby advice to confirm your bank account details and your tel/fax number for immediate payment within 72hrs.
For more information Feel free to call me now on this telephone number +2348141514285 or you can delete this message if you are not interested.
Sincerely
Lamido Sanusi
Central Bank Gov
Tel; +2348141514285
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Anti-fraud resources:
