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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "igwevictor@yahoo.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "igwevictor@yahoo.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.
- 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: "Igwe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <1victorigwe@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:45:58 +0100
Subject: YOUR SWIFT ATM PAYMENT IS RELEASED""" Call ME NOW +2348029206098
Secretary to the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Call +2348029206098
e-mail:igwevictor@yahoo.cn
Hello Sir
Sub: Instant part payment of US$6Million
My name is Victor Igwe I am the personal secretary to the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi He directed me to contact you urgently, to reconfirm from you if actually you know one Mr. John Douglas who claims to be your business associate/ partner in Nigeria.
The said Mr. John Douglas informed us that you are sick and you have nominated him to receive your payment on your behalf, he submitted an affidavit of claim instructing us to change your name as bona-fide beneficiary of the said fund in his favor.
Be informed that the Nigerian President Good luck .E. Jonathan has instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria to offset all the outstanding debts owe to all local/foreign beneficiaries and your fund has been short listed for payment.
Could you therefore confirm if we should accept the documents tendered by Mr. John Douglas? Your reply should be send to (igwevictor@yahoo.cn)
Yours faithfully,
Victor Igwe
Secretary to the Governor Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Call +2348029206098
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