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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.
- linda-okor501@mighty.co.za (Mighty, South Africa; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "David Mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <linda_okoro505@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:06:00 -0000
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF ATM CARD ACCREDITATION
Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB
YOUR REF :
NOTIFICATION OF ATM CARD ACCREDITATION
This is to officially inform you that an Inter-Switch ATM-Card Valued at
$6.8 Million USD only has been accredited in your favor by the Federal
Government.Your Personal Identification Number is ATM-2900.
The ATM Card has a daily withdrawal limit of $5,000.00 USD Per Day.
You are advised to contact Mrs. Linda okoro: (linda-okor501@mighty.co.za)
for claim processing.
This is to ensure that you receive your ATM-CARD grant Award on time to
avoid delay. (Note you will be paying a courier delivery fee of 205usd,
so remember that before replying this mail).
Please provide the following details for processing to Mrs.Linda Okoro,
Email: (linda-okor501@mighty.co.za)
* Full Name:
* Delivery Address:
* Sex:
* Age:
* Occupation:
* Phone Number:
* Country of Residence:
We look forward to receiving the information necessary to complete the
process so that the prize can be sent to you.
Regards,
Senator David Mark.
Executive,Committee On ATM-CARD Payment.
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Anti-fraud resources:
