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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:
- "inland revenue board" (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. )
- "inland revenue board" (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. )
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Keith L Barrett <b_drkeithl@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Dr Keith L Barrett <drkeithbarrett02@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 05:48:18 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: FUND TRANSFER.
 Hello Good Day ,
The sum of $1.2 million out of your over due total sum has
been approved for payment through ATM cash card system after all
attempts to pay you through bank, diplomatic and courier failed. The
approved sum will be programmed into ATM cash card
and dispatched to your address. We made Several attempts to contact you
and this is the 3rd and perhaps the last email to you in respect of this
matter. We received a power of attorney from one JOHN GRIMLEY from USA,
asking us to change the beneficiary to him
stating that you have been sentence to life imprisonment hence we are
seeking for your confirmation.
Â
He has also submitted his account for us to transfer the funds to him. Mr.John Grimely account co-ordinate is as stated below:-
Bank: Bank of America
1121 N 205th St, Shoreline, Wa 98133.
Bank routing number: 125000024.
Bank account number: 5319678606.
Account Holders name: John Grimely
We want to hear from you before we can make the transfer,and also
to confirm if his claim of you being imprison is true or not. And
provide your personal information stated below along with our handling
and delivery charge of $286 Dollars to enable us
process and transfer your contract funds successfully to you.
YOUR FULL NAME_______
YOUR ADDRESS__________
YOUR OCCUPATION________
YOUR AGE.____________
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER/FAX LINE (MOBILE)________
PRIVATE E-MAIL:________________________
Â
Yours respectfully
Dr.Keith L. Barrett
Director Operations
Inland Revenue Board Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
