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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- www.imf_kristalinaeorgieva603@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: FUND DEPARTMENT <ayoolaoladele64@gmail.com>
Reply-To: meirivanchi@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 02:48:39 -0800
Subject: U.S Government has instructed
Greetings from Kristalina Georgieva
This is to remind you that the bank is still waiting your information
for the filling of the ATM Card and Bank to bank wire transfer form
to enable the bank set up an account in your name where the total fund
$5.5 Million United States dollars will be deposited and the account
credential will be forwarded to you via one of the courier delivery
services
I am contacting you back because the bank manager has stated clearly
that your payment file will be returned back to the proper authority
if there's no attempt of claim before the end of the year
We have decided to give you a CODE, THE CODE IS: 603. Every time you
receive an email with the name of Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, please
check that the CODE (603) is there. If the code is not written, please
delete the message from your E-mail box! as we will provide you with
further details on the release of your fund.
(www.imf_kristalinaeorgieva603@aol.com)
Therefore I advise you to forward Your Full Information
Your Full Name;
Home Address;
personal Telephone;
copy of ID CARD;
Occupation :
Sex and Age;
Thanks,
Kristalina Georgieva
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
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Anti-fraud resources:
