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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge amount of money" (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: "John Griffith-Jones - (FCA - UK)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.johngriffithjonesfcauk@englandmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2015 00:20:24 +0100
Subject: Hello..
FROM THE DESK OF THE CHAIRMAN
FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY (FCA).
25 THE NORTH COLONNADE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON E14 5HS
(Company No. 01920623)
Dear Sir,
Be officially informed that it has come to our notice via our Central Financial Monitoring Computerized Database System that huge amount of money has been credited in your name for transfer with our newly authorized and approved paying bank or through the affiliate corresponding bank.
Our utmost Priority is to ensure maximum security of your Funds' Remittance and also to protect the movement of the Fund into your desired account in your Country or any place you wish the funds should be transferred to. I wish to let you know that all your efforts so far in this transaction will never be in vain. I must put a lasting smile on your face and your success in this transaction must be fruitfully achieved.
Under the stipulated enabling Law of the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and other Commonwealth States, any substantial amount of money that has been found through our Central Financial Monitoring Computerized Database System waiting to be transferred without claims for a period of two (1) fiscal quarter, shall be confiscated and forfeited to the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
I have personally and whole kindheartedly decided to assist you in the best of my ability and I promise you that you must receive your funds successfully into your account without further stress as I do hereby ask you to contact this office immediately you received this notice.
PLEASE CAREFULLY FILL IN WITH YOUR APPROPRIATE INFORMATION IN THE SPACES PROVIDED HERE BELOW FOR RATIFICATION:
(1) Full Name: ____________________________________
(2) Address: ______________________________________
(3) Nationality: ___________________________________
(4) Age: _________________________________________
(5) Gender: ______________________________________
(6) Occupation: __________________________________
(7) Direct phone #: _______________________________
(8) Direct Fax #: _________________________________
(9) Desired contact e-mail:
(10) Alternative e-mail:
(11) Attach copy of your identity.
Your urgent response and co-operation will be highly appreciated.
Best regards,
John Griffith-Jones.
Chairman: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Email: johngriffithjonesfcauk@englandmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
