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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:
- "inland revenue board" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "inland revenue board" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- 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.
- colleencolleenn@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "NOLTE IGNO" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <colleencolleenn@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2015 06:18:42 -0500
Subject: FUND RECOVERED ...
WITHHELD FUND PAYMENT
Sequel to the directive from the Inland Revenue Board and White house to pay
your investment/lottery/contract sum. An ATM Card Number worth USD10,500,000
has been accredited by the Natwest Bank as part payment of your withheld transfer authorized
by the Ministry of Finance.In view of the payment authorization issued by the Federal Ministry of
Finance (FMF) in your favour, we request you contact us with the following information for verification and immediate release of your ATM card.send below information to : colleencolleenn@gmail.com
1.Full Name:
2.Phone number:
3.Delivery Address (not postal address):
4.Age:
5.Gender:
6.Occupation:
We undertake that drawing of ATM card under this notice will be
honoured upon completion of the verification/authentication process.
Bear in mind that you will pay the courier service (80dollars)
charge being the amount needed to courier your ATM card to your
address as we are not authorized to make deductions from your funds.
This is the case only when you cannot come to our above office address
to pick your ATM card in person.Kindly forward your details to Miss Colleen Khane direct email address
( colleencolleenn@gmail.com)
You are receiving this message as a result of the directive from the
Inland Revenue Service instructing the Natwest Bank to
release your withheld payment with your full compliance. You will
receive your ATM card within 72hrs of receipt of the courier service
charge of 80 dollars needed to courier your ATM card to your address. Please
note that you have a 2days period to comply with this request, after
which non-compliance will attract declaration of your ATM card as
unclaimed and funds reverted to the government treasury.
Please help us to serve you better.
Yours Faithfully,
Mr Nolte Igno
DEBT SETTLEMENT UNIT(IRS)
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Anti-fraud resources:
