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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- ",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)
- "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- +22998374004 (Benin, probably a 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.
- bdr.christian@yahoo.com
- zenithbankplc3@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: zenithbankplc3@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 08:53:42 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Friend Transfer Successful Thank's For Your Previouse Help,
I have a new email address!You can now email me at: bdr.christian@yahoo.com
- Dear friend.I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from peru. Presently i'm in peru for investment projects with my own share of the of the total sum.Meawhile,i didn't forgetyour past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.Now,i want you to contact my bank in my country on the information below.NAME Of the Bank: Zenith Bank Plc.Tel :+229-9837-4004EMAIL:zbplc@msn.com (or) zenithbankplc3@gmail.com Ask Dr.Victor Ovie, Director foreign operation department to send you the total sum of ( $2,500,000.00) Two Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars in a bank draft, which I kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.I appreciate your efforts at that time very much.The money will be send to you through wire transfer or any other way you may chose.Regards,GOD BLESS YOU.Dr.Christian Burkey.Pan- Africa Mortgage & Finance.
Anti-fraud resources: