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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:
- "into your nominated bank 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)
- "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)
- 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.
- irvinsmith3uba@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Irvin Smith" <"www."@dream.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.Irvin Smith" <Irvinsmith3uba@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2017 18:18:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION: BENEFICIARY
Attention: Our Beneficiary
We have received your email regarding the
release of your approved US$2.7 million dollars compensation payment
it is not a joke, it is real. To make everything fast and easy we
decided to open an online account for you in our bank and from your
online account with us you can start transferring your fund
conveniently into your nominated bank account in your country.
Kindly follow this instruction and fill the below listed information;
Personal Information
First Name:....................................
Last Name: ........................................
State of Origin:...............................
Nationality:.........................................
Social Security Number:..............................
Passport No:.......................................
National ID Card NO.:................................
Phone Number:.......................................
Marital Status:.....................................
Gender:...............................................
Birthday:........................................
Your Residential Address: ............................
City:..........................................
State:...........................................
Country:...........................................
Zip / Postal Code:...............................
Office Address:.....................................
Zip / Postal Code:..................................
Preferred Currency For Account Account Type:..................................
Thank you for choosing to bank with us, we are proud to partner with you.
Yours in Service.
Mr.Irvin Smith
United Bank Of Africa
Republic du Benin
Email:Irvinsmith3uba@gmail.com
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