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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:
- "account opening" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united states 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)
- "account opening form" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Williams Silva <vickiehoffman76@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Williams Silva <williamssilva41@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2017 08:35:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR ONLINE BANKING PAYMENT
I am glad to announce to you today that a new payment policy has been adopted
and you have been shortlisted for payment via Online Banking by World Bank, We
hereby inform you that World Bank will open online
account on your behalf to credit your account with the approved amount
of US$2.5 Million United States Dollars only deposited to (WB) World Bank as instructed by United Nation organization,
Further more Endeavor email us the following information for immediate
processing.
Your First Name:
Your Middle Name:
Your Last Name:
Your Address:
City:
Country:
Your Occupation:
Marital Status:
Date of Birth:
Next of Kin:
Tel Number:
Mobile Number:
Private E-mail:
These are the requirements that you need to be aware of before you contact
us below.1)You will fill the online account opening form, Send him an email in
regards to your funds $2.5 Million that has been approved by the Federal
Government of Benin Republic and United Nation Organization.
Regards,
Williams Silva
Foreign Reserve Escrow Account Officer
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Anti-fraud resources:
