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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:
- "million 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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- ev.larryletsego@minister.com (Minister; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "CBN" <info@mail.com>
Reply-To: letsegorevlarry@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 06:03:53 +0100
Subject: The Truth About Your Funds.
Good Day, I hope this mail gets to you in good faith.Let me start by introd=
ucing myself to you, I am Rev.Larry Letsego and a banker by profession with=
banking experience of 35years. Presently, I am working with the Central Ba=
nk of Nigeria at the transfer department and am in charge of Foreign Transf=
er. I want to use this opportunity to let you know that I came across your =
file that was painted Red and marked X and your transfer has been put on pe=
nding and hold for so long. I took time to carry out my investigation and o=
nly to find out that you have paid VIRTUALLY all fees but the fund was not =
released to you. I'm writing to confirm if you are dead or alive because I =
am looking for all means to get this fund across to you or your family. I n=
eeded to do this because you need to know the statues of your Funds and cau=
se for the delay, please this is like a Mafia setting here in Africa, and y=
ou may not understand it because you are not from Nigeria. I am only doing =
this because I have the fear of GOD in me and I hate to see people been che=
ated. Note: That the actual funds is valued at $10.5 Million Dollars and i =
have transferred your funds out of Central Bank of Nigeria and deposited it=
at the NatWest Bank UK on your behalf. I shall be looking forward to hear =
from you if you are still very much alive? because the only thing needed is=
for you to make the payment of $150 for the Cost of Tranfer{C.O.T}. As soo=
n as you make the payment your funds will be transfer into your Bank Accoun=
t. In view of development you have to send me your banking information wher=
e you whant your funds to be transfered to. You are to get in touch with me=
through my cell phone or send me and email to my personal email address: r=
ev.larryletsego@minister.com I remain your brother in the Lord Almighty. Re=
gards, Rev. Larry Letsego
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Anti-fraud resources:
