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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "to 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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "oficefile1988@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Office File <fitimamustaphamj@gmail.com>
Reply-To: oficefile1988@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 20:04:37 -0600
Subject: ATTN: BENEFICIARY.
ATTN: BENEFICIARY.
PAYMENT OF $8.2Million ON CONTRACT REF: BR/102/0005B/06. Citing your
reference for the release and payment of $8.2Million with Ref :
BR/102/0005B/06 and Foreign Exchange Allocation Number BMF-52114 as it
appears on our payment schedule 1st quarter 2023; be informed that
approval has been given to effect the transfer of the above sum in
your favour.
From the records of outstanding contractors/Next of Kin Fund due for
payment with the Government of Mexico, your name and company was
discovered as next on the list of the outstanding Payments who have
not yet received their payments.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that
from my record in my file your outstanding part payment is
US$8.2Million (EIGHT MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND United States
Dollars).
Kindly re-confirm to me the followings:
1) Your full name.
2) Phone
3) address.
4) Country
As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to
you via wire to your nominated bank account directly from or any
choice you prefer to receive your fund. Please do reply to my
alternative email address below for more details
(oficefile1988@outlook.com)
Regards,
Mr. Contos Michael George
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Anti-fraud resources:
