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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "BENNY WRIGTH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bwr2003@live.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:42:23 +0100
Subject: YOUR FUNDS TRANSFER
Dear Sir/Madam
This is to bring to your notice that the Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund(IMF) group of auditors to henceforth handle the payment of Nigeria outstanding external debts.
This is for transparency accountability and to checkmate the numerous cases of fraud. This is in accordance with conditions set aside by the United States Government, World Bank, IMF, London and Paris club of creditors before the aforementioned will negotiate and grant the Federal Government of Nigeria any sort of loan.
The IMF and the World Bank oversees the international monetary system and monitors the financial and economic policies of its members. It keeps track of economic developments on a national, regional, and global basis,consulting regularly with member countries and providing them with macroeconomic and financial policy advices.
The World Bank and IMF's fundamental mission is to help ensure stability in the international system. It does so in three ways: keeping track of the global economy and the economies of member countries; lending to countries with balance of payments difficulties; and giving practical help to members.
To this effect therefore The Debt Management office (DMO) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has compiled the list of Twenty Seven beneficiaries on government top priority payment list in which your name was enlisted. To enable us instruct one of our accredited paying bank to credit your account. Do furnish us with your designated banking information as a matter
of urgency.
The Nigeria government has budgeted $350 Million for payment to individuals and corporate organization.
We look forward to your prompt response
Sincerely
Mr. Benny Wrigth
Senior Auditor:
World Bank Africa Regional Office
Tel:+ 2348071578147
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Anti-fraud resources:
