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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:
- "million us 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Arab Bank <echuko1128@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Arab Bank <arabbank236@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2015 07:53:37 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your Fund has been credited online
Arab Emirate
Arab Bank Emaar Sqare, Building #2.Â
Dubai United Plc.
Welcome to United Arab Bank Dubai UAE.
We have tried many time to credit your payment
of $1,000,000.00
USD through online transfer but it seems
impossible as we don`t have your full
details.
This fund supposed to be transferred since last
year after United
Nation approve your compensation payment but due
to some issues we did not
complete it then.
We have concluded to transfer your total sum of
One Million US
Dollars direct to your account under the United
Nation instruction.
Contact us now for immediate transfer of your
payment of One
Million US dollars.
For more details and claim of your money reply
back this message
with your direct phone number.
We need your private email and phone number to
enable us contact
you direct.
Contact Person: Ali Mohammed.
Thanks,
Online Bank Transfer.
Your Fund has been credited online
Arab Bank’s Dubai branch Manager.
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Message
The Bank has made considerable steady progress
in recent years and
is in excellent shape. We are well positioned to
grow and deliver an excellent
service to customers with complete openness and
transparency. Our Award Winning
website is one of the many changes that the Bank
has implemented for that
purpose; with a view to better communicate with
our customers.
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Anti-fraud resources:
