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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "transfer into your account" (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.
- 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.
- benardmadoff@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Benard Madoff <benardmadoff1984@gmail.com>
Reply-To: benardmadoff@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2015 03:55:05 -0700
Subject: YOUR APPROVED PAYMENT RECONCILIATION
NatWest Bank Plc
138 Allerton Road,
Liverpool United Kingdom
Attention : Dear
It was resolved and agreed from WORLD FINANCIAL SERVICE AUTHORITY that your
contract /inheritance fund payment ($5M) shall be released to you based on
your choice from our Bank here in London UK,telegraphic Transfer into your
account or ATM CARD payment delivery.
Please reconfirm your name,address and telephone
number,occupation,photocopy of your international/driving license or your
banking details for swift transfer into your account.
We await for your urgent response by forwarding your full details and your
telephone number for immediate transfer from our Remittance Department for
any of your preferred choice.reply back to me with your preferably choice
via this email benardmadoff@gmail.com
Respectfully.
Benard Madoff
Customare care/Operation Manager
NatWest Bank Plc
Liverpool UK
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Anti-fraud resources:
