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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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Elinor Brown David" <officefille502@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Elinor Brown David" <atm.cardbj01@yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:25:07 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Congratulations Unpaid Beneficiary
Congratulations Unpaid Beneficiary,
It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of $1.2million due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the releasing of your fund.
We have been able to track down so many of this scam artist in various parts of the globe, We have been able to recover so much money from these scam artists. The United Nation Anti-crime commission and the United State Government have ordered the money recovered from the Spammers to be shared among 48 Lucky people around the globe.
Now how would you like to receive your payment? via a certified bank draft or by ATM card?
To effect the release of your fund valued at $1.2million, you are advised to contact the director of payment via his email address with the information below,
Dr. Michael Thomas.
On contacting him do provide him with the following informations:
Your full Name...
Your Address:.................
Home/Cell Phone:...................
occupation...........................
Preferred Payment Method (ATM/certified bank draft):.................
age/sex
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Elinor Brown David.
Financial Crimes Commission.
CC: National Central Bureau of Interpol.
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