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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:
- "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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: US Bank <banktrustonline@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fund_transfer02@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 16:02:49 -0700
Subject: Urgent Attention Needed.
US BANK
100 Wall St, Ste 1101
I am Mr Terry Dolan the managing director of (US BANK),
set up to fight against scam and fraudulent activities worldwide. This group is
responsible for investigating the legitimacy of unpaid contract,
inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and
directs the paying authorities (banks) worldwide to make immediate
payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay.
You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long
awaited fund. After a detailed review of your file, the world bank
group has mandated that your fund should be released immediately the
sum of $11.8usd (eleven million, eight hundred thousand united states dollars
has been approved in your favor via my desk. I therefore wish to
inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released
to you as soon as you respond to this
letter Please re -
confirm to us the following:
(1) Your Full Name......
(2) Your Country ......
(3) Your Correct Home Address...... (
4) Your Direct Telephone Numbers.......
(5) Your Office Address.......
(6) Your Current Occupation.......
(7) Your age .....
(8) Sex......
(9) Your Next Of Kin Name......
(10) YOUR IDENTIFICATION CARD ID.....
Note that the above fund has been cleared from terrorist or fraud
related activities.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Quickly get back to me for more advice.
Mr Terry Dolan
Managing Director: US BANK
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Anti-fraud resources:
