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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found 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.
- wellsfargobankmd@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: CUSTOMERS CARE <ahmad@jfapex.com.my>
Reply-To: Wells Fargo Bank Manager <wellsfargobankmd@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2017 05:52:32 +0800 (MYT)
Subject: YOUR FUND (Ref:WMFOAITMTB/02T/2017)
Pursuant a Rigorous deliberation on a board meeting held on
the date of (2nd October 2017) by U.S. Department of the Treasury
with United Nation secretary and Ministry of Economy and Finance Benin
with many high rank governing body Concerning The complains of companies/
Individuals who are still owed contract Funds and Compensation fund including
Inheritance funds by the Africa Banks.
We was Instruction by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and United Nation
secretary General (Mr. Antonio Guterres) who took office in January 2017
to contact you as one of the Individual among the list of Compensation
Payment from Africa Countries has been delayed Due to one reason or others.
Your Funds US$7.5 Million has been arranged and Approved by U.S. Department
of the Treasury and United Nation secretary to transfer to you through
Wells Fargo Bank to help complete this transfer, Due to the bureaucratic
bottleneck that has militated against the completion of the direct transfer
of this fund to your account in past by differences Financial Institution in Benin.
CONTACT MANAGER IN CHARGE TO TRANSFER YOUR FUND WITH YOUR BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS INFO
Managing Director: Michael D. Dobson
Telephone: call or text him (716) 712-4986
Email:(wellsfargobankmd@gmail.com)
(Ref:WMFOAITMTB/02T/2017)
Once more I wish to commend your mutual cooperation on this transaction
And Don't hesitate to ask Question If any.
Thanks for Your Cooperation
Yours In service
WELLS FARGO BANK
CUSTOMERS CARE
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