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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- fbank281@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: FEDERAL RESERVE BANK <kbemsibba@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fbank281@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2023 21:13:56 +0300
Subject: Attention:Dear Beneficiary
WELCOME TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK WASHINGTON DC USA
Attention:Dear Beneficiary
This is to confirm to you regarding the release of your long awaited
funds valued sum of $10,500,000.00 Million United States Dollar which
was approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in conjunction
with the United Nations Organization because your email address was
shortlisted and approved among the numerous people to receive the
IMF/UNITED NATIONS COVID19 GRANT SUPPORT,the total amount of
$10,500,000.00 Millions USD recovered in your name has been deposited
to transfer to you through our online banking wire transfer which you
will need to transfer by yourself with any computer in your home or office and
we can also convert your payments to Bank Cheque or Atm card and ship
to your address which will permit you a daily withdrawal limit of
$5000.00USD.
Fill the requested info below
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE:
COUNTRY/CITY:
ID COPY:
GENDER:
OCCUPATION:
Sincerely
Scott Krause.
Phone:(571) 969-2434
Email: (fbank281@gmail.com)
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