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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "BARRISTER.COLLINS ALI" <collins_34353963@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:02:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: NOTICE OF TRANSFER
NOTICE OF TRANSFER
FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
As the last quater of the year is running to an end,we have decided to complete
all contractors payment before the end of this year,to this effect the
management of the Central Bank has decided to pay $20m, to our honourable
contractors through a means called diplomatic cash delivery,this further
explains that your contract funds will be packaged in two mwtallic trunk boxes
and two of our professional diplomats will be billed to accompany the boxes
containing cash to come and deliver to you right at your door step. Re-comfirm
(1)Your Name:-
(2)Home Address:-
(3)Your Cell Phone
(4)Age
This means is put in place to enable us meet our target for this
year,all the risk involved has been considered. Waiting upon your quickest reply. Help us to serve you better.
Thanks
Collins Ali
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Anti-fraud resources:
