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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- chris.alabioffice05@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION DEPARTMENT <unitednations@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: chris.alabioffice05@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:36:00 +0300
Subject: YOUR UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION BANK DRAFT
The UNITED NATIONS has agreed to compensate all the people that had an
unfinished transaction or international Fund transfer that failed due
to Government problem or those that have been Frauded in the Internet
by dubious Individuals.The sum of US$150,000.00 was issued to each of
you .We found your name in our list as one of the beneficiary and that
is why we are contacting you through this medium. This have been
agreed upon and have been signed.
You are advised now to contact Chris Alabi of
Intercontinental Bank Plc via his Email
Address;chris.alabioffice05@gmail.com ,as he is our representative who is
in
charge of disposing the bank draft to you.> You are to Send the information
below to Chris Alabi his
email address;
chris.alabioffice05@gmail.com for the immediate delivery of your Draft to
you.
Full Names (Surname First).......
Current Address...................
Country .United States of America.......................
Telephone ............
Age.....................
Contact him immediately with the requested information above for
your International Bank Draft of USD$ 150,000.00 USD.
Have a nice day and Hope you use this Money Wisely
Regards,
BAN KI-MOON
Secretary General (UNITED NATIONS)
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Anti-fraud resources:
