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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.
- 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)
- "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)
- "remmittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348034636487 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- chaiseadams@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "chaise adams" <chaiseadams_nig3@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: chaiseadams@myway.com
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:54:44 +0100
Subject: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN)
TINUBU SQUARE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS-NIGERIA
ATTENTION: Sir/Madam,
From the records of outstanding foreign payments due for release with
banks in Nigeria, your name and contact was discovered as next, on the
list of the outstanding foreigners' payment which are stil hanging on,
and 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 reconfirm your payment details so that
we can authenticate the claim legally.
Also note that, from our record the Federal Governemnt of Nigeria has only maped out the sum of US$6,700,000.00 Six million, seven hundred thousand united states Dollars) to be released to you for now, after which the remaining part of your claims will be released to you.
Kindly re-confirm to us the followings:
(1) Your full name and mailing address.
(2) Telephone number,
(3) Fax number
(4) mobile #.
(5) Occupation
(6) Age .
In receipt of the above information, your payment will be approved and
paid to you by wired to your nominated bank account, you are advised to
get back to me immediately for more clarifications.
Yours truly,
MR.CHAISE ADAMS,
+234 8034636487
chaiseadams@myway.com
REMMITTANCE DEPARTMENT(CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
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