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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- zenithbanknigeriaplc49@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE LONDON <unitednationsofficeuk01@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE LONDON <zenithbanknigeriaplc49@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:54:43 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: CONTACT ZENITH BANK PLC FOR YOUR FUND.
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Dear Friend
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Its my pleasure to inform you that your certified bank draft valued (1.2 million dollars) has been deposited for Zenith bank for bank to bank wiring transfer since you did not meet up to pay for the $350 delivering fee of your bank draft.
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Because it has stayed more than necessary with this office, as it will expire next tomorrow, so I went and deposit it for Zenith bank Plc, after I discus this with the bank director as its has not been delivered to you, However he told me that your fund can be transferred to you via a direct wire transfer ('KTT) into your account.
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He also told me to instruct you to contact the bank to apply for a direct wire transfer into your bank account to avoid loosing your fund. Therefore you can contact the bank with below information.
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BANK NAME; ZENITH BANK PLC LAGOS NIGERIA
BANK EMAIL;zenithbanknigeriaplc49@yahoo.com
Tel; +234 8124 101 703
Fax; +234 8124 171 700
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Send an email to the bank with the above bank email and apply for your wire transfer as i have informed the bank about you already. When contact the bank forward your banking details to them. On receipt of your fund into your account Endeavor to inform me immediately.
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Yours Sincerely.
Mr. Abou Kodjo
United Nations Office Nig
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Anti-fraud resources:
