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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:
- "executive governor" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Godwin Vincent <phyllis.mills@gmail.com>
Reply-To: zplc31@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:06:09 +0100
Subject: Re: GOOD NEWS,
Good News about your payment of US$15.5 Million approved in Zenith Bank of
Benin Republic contact Mr. Godwin Vincent for more information about your
ATM Visa, Your total compensation payment of USD $15.5 Million been award
in your name with Africa government last meeting that was held in the
Government house About the out going Government of Formal corrupt
President Yayi Borny, for not given out the foreign Beneficiaries fund to
the right owner,
Now our new acting President Patrice Talon, has given the instruction that
this compensation will be going to the 600 foreign beneficiaries from the
USA. CANADA ASIA EUROPE AND MIDDLE EAST. this is how your Email Address got
you this fund. the $15.5 million has been approved in your name with Zenith
bank of Benin Republic. So contact Mr. Godwin Vincent for more information
Reply us back for your ATM Visa Card compensation $15.5 detail's..
Regards
Mr. Godwin Vincent
Executive Governor of Zenith Bank of Benin Republic.
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Anti-fraud resources:
