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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- smith.roger29@yahoo.es (Yahoo, Spain; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Roger Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <smith.roger29@yahoo.es>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 05:55:57 -0800
Subject: Re: Delivery of Your ATM (VISA) Card
Mr. Roger Smith.
Director Foreign
Payment Dept (CBN)
Email:smith.roger29@yahoo.es
TEL;+234-8038932463
Dear,Sir Madam.
This is to officially inform you that after Federal Executive Council meeting held on 1/1/2015 it was resolved that now henceforth all pending foreign payment should be paid within the next one week.
Meanwhile, you will receive part payment of Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States ($10.5m) this week through the ATM Card and the balance will be transfer to you direct to your account Next year.
You will be able use the ATM CARD, to access your fund via ATM MACHINE in any part of the world. Note that you can only withdraw a maximum Five Hundred United States dollars ($5,000) par a day.
therefore, you are hereby advice to furnish this office with the followings to enable us dispatch Your (ATM Card).
(1)Your full name:
(2)Your Mailing Address:
(3)Your contact telephone/fax numbers for easy communication.
(4) Copy of your passport identity
Meanwhile you are advised to select one of the under listed courier company that you prefer to deliver the (ATM Card ) to you.
(1) FedEx Express : $230 for overnight delivering
(2) DHL Express Services: $250 for overnight delivering
(3) TNT Services $300 for overnight services Delivering
Best Regards
MR ROGER SMITH
Director Foreign Operation Dept (CBN)
Lagos-Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
