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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- 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.
- citi.groupss@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Morris Campbell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <citi.groupss@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:41:38 -0800
Subject: Let Me Know When Received The Money....
Dear Friend,
How are you doing. Hope you have not forgotten me I am Dr Morris Campbell the man from Nigeria who contacted you sometime ago to assist me secure the release of some money accrued from the over invoicing of a contract/inheritance that was awarded by my government some time ago during the past regime.
Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil. Presently I am in London-United Kingdom for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.
Meanwhile i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds I made sure you are not left out the benefit of the transaction hence I kept aside for you sum of one million United States Dollars ($1million) and it has been deposited in Citibank Nigeria Plc. I and my new partner agreed to compensate you with that amount for all your past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much so feel free and get in touch with the manager Rev Patrick Smith (CEO) and instruct him on how to send your fund to you.
Please do let me know immediately you receive your fund so that we can share the joy together after all the sufferings at that time. In the moment I am very busy here because of the investment projects which me and my partner are having at hand finally remember that i had left instruction to my bank so as soon as you contact Rev Patrick Smith (CEO) he will send your fund to you so feel free to get in-touch with the bank NOW.
You are to contact the manager incharge of your fund with the below information:
Name : Rev Patrick Smith (CEO) (Citibank Nigeria Plc).
E-mail: citi.groupss@hotmail.com
Phone #: +2348091399256
With Best Regards
Dr Morris Campbell.
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