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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "interswitch.atm@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Committee On Foreign Payment <astrid@mmtc.ac.id>
Reply-To: Nick George <interswitch.atm@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:48:08 +0700 (WIT)
Subject: Your Inter-Switch ATM-Card
OUR REF: UK/ATM/4378
YOUR REF: CLAIMS/ATM/4378
We do officially inform you that an Inter-Switch ATM-Card
Valued
at £1,000.000GBP (One Million Great British Pounds) has
been accredited in your favour by the UK Inter Switch ATM
Organization.Your Personal Identification Number is
ATM-4378.The ATM Card has a daily withdrawal limit of
£10,000.00GBP Per Day due to its International Roaming
status.
You are advice to contact Mr. Nick George via Email: interswitch.atm@w.cn
Our contracted delivery company will deliver your package
to your address.Please provide the following details for
processing:
* Full Names:
* Delivery Address:
* Country:
* Sex:
* Age:
* Occupation:
* Phone Number:
Regards
Committee On Foreign Payment
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Anti-fraud resources:
