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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:
- "tax fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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: "DR, SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI" <dr.----3122@att.net>
Reply-To: drsnslmd68@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:44:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: call me
FROM: Dr.Sanusi Lamido.
Executive Governor
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
DIRECT PHONE NO: +234-7042778612
Dear Beneficiary
I am the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,My name is DR.SANUSI LAMIDO.On assumption of office, I discovered that you are being owed the sum of Ten Million,Seven Hundered thousand United States Dollars as unpaid Inherittance/lottery fund in Contractors Category [A]Record file.
Therefore you are required to re-confirm your information for verification and immediate payment within 24 hours.
Your Full Name: ______________
Your Complete Address__________________________
Name of City of Residence:____________________
Country:______________________________________
Direct Telephone Number:______________________
Mobile Number:________________________________
Your Email__________________________________
AGE :_________________________________________
Fax Number:___________________________________
Occupation: ________________________________
Name of your airport_________________________
We shall not entertain impostors and you must proof that you are the rightful owner of this funds before final payment commences.
The Mode of payments is ATM CARD PAYMENT.
We have taken care of all the cost for the delivery, All you have to pay is the insurance and tax fee of only
Get back to me ASAP.
Yours in Service,
Dr.Sanusi Lamido.
Executive Governor
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
DIRECT PHONE NO: +234-7042778612
NB:ALSO BE WARNED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE(FRAUDSTARS) HAVE STARTED MAKING FORGERY OF MY GOOD NAME.
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