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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:
- "transfer into your 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "remittance.oceanic@live.fr" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Frank Williams." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <remittance.oceanic@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:36:44 -0700
Subject: CONTACT THE OCEANIC BANK PLC FOR THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND..
Attention My Dear,
I write to inform you that we have succeeded in depositing your $4.8 million USD with OCEANIC BANK PLC Benin Republic with the help of Barrister Jimmy Agu the assistant attorney to OCEANIC BANK PLC this morning.
Based on the attorney advice, The fund was deposited into a bounded account for security reason
with the attachment instruction of the high court that no one should remove or withdraw any cent
from the total sum of $4.8 million till the fund is tranferred into your account.
You are advice to contact OCEANIC BANK PLC Benin to enable them transfer your fund direct into
your account without any delay.
Below is the contact information of the bank and who to contact.
OCEANIC BANK PLC
DIRECTOR: MR HARRY ALBERT
CHAIRMAN/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF OCEANIC BANK PLC
HEAD OFFICE ADDRESS: RUE 308 REVEREND PERE,
COLINEAU CONTONOU. REPUBLIC DU BENIN.
002347031248230/+2347031248230
EMAIL;(remittance.oceanic@live.fr)
You should reach them immediately with your account details to enable them commence with the
transfer into your account,and always remember to let me know as soon as the $4.8 million is
transfer into your account.You are advice to keep every information regarding this transfer
confidentail for security purpose and for the secure of your fund.
Thanks and remain bless.
Mr Frank Williams.
CONTACT THE OCEANIC BANK PLC FOR THE TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND..
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