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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Evans Egodi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mree1@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 04:21:19 -0700
Subject: Re: Reply
ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTRE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
OUR REF:U.B./MF/B01/Vol 01
Attn: Card Owner,
Your name and your contact details was given to this office in respect of your total inherited/compensation sum owed to you which you have failed to claim because of either non-compliance of official processes or because of your unbelief of the reality of your genuine payment.
You are hereby notified that your Inheritance/Compensation Payment of Two million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$2.8M) has been approved to be made to you through UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA ATM Visa Card.The total funds due to you will be processed and programmed into an ATM Cash card that will be dispatched to your designated address Through DHL COURIER SERVICE.Your ATM CARD can be assess in any ATM Stand/location worldwide at the maximum rate of $5,000.00 US dollars per day.
For confirmation of beneficial right, you are subjected to respond to this email with the following requirements to enable us commence action in processing and delivering of your ATM VISA CARD immediately.
KINDLY FILL IN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
Your Full Name:
Your Country:
Your Direct Telephone/Mobile Numbers:
Your Current Home Address:
Your age:
Your Next Email Address:
The use of the ATM Cash card is to by-pass the rigorous documentations that has resulted in the delays and demands for obnoxious fees by corrupt officials of government and ensure that you receive your due payment expeditiously. We require your maximum co-operation and understanding to proceed with this arrangement which has been designed to favor you.
Thanks.
Yours faithfully.
Mr.Evans Egodi
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Anti-fraud resources:
