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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:
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Figo West" <keb.fukuoka.@bell.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: atmcardservicecenter4@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2016 01:18:45 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your ATM Master Card!!
You’re expected to call us +2349038594184. We know is very difficult for you to understand because it has being long time you are waiting for your ATM Master Card but right now things are really worked out to your expectation.You have to understand that your file has gotten to office of ATM Swift Card and already finalized all the necessary arrangement, beside most original Card presently is ATM MASTER CARD and is being sent from Africa is 95% while visa card is 55%.Office of ATM Swift Card department wants you to understand that everything is in order (United Bank for Africa Plc) Decided to pay you via ATM MASTER CARD which worth sum of $2.4M USD For activation of your Card pin number and also cover the insurance coverage to enable you have access of withdraw once you receive your ATM Master Card. You’re name, You’re country, You’re home address, You’re Tel phone number. Best regards Dr. Figo West Executive Director Federal Republic of Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
