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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 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.
- oscarchristophercba@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Matt Williams <info.dept@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: oscarchristophercba@yahoo.fr
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:26:47 +0530 (IST)
Subject: CONTACT THE BELOW BANK FOR YOUR FUND ONLINE WIRE TRANSFER INTO YOUR ACCOUNT
GoodDay!!
We have successfully concluded with FORTUNE TRUST BANK INT'L and has deposited the total sum US$16.6 Million in cash with FORTUNE TRUST BANK that handles all transfer transactions concerning world bank. According to the Director of the bank (Dr. Oscar Christopher), a non-resident account has been opened for your Fund.
The following is the account number: 11311125-00
Please remember from today not to reply any mail from any person or answered any call from any other person except FORTUNE TRUST BANK INT'L to avoid loosing this fund. The next step is for you to contact DR. OSCAR CHRISTOPHER. (The foreign operations Director) FORTUNE TRUST BANK INT'L through the given below email address, confirming the account number above to him as well forward the following information of yours CLAIM APPLICATION TEXT:YOUR FULL NAMECOUNTRYYOUR FUNCTIONAL TELEPHONE NUMBERSAMOUNT DUE IN YOUR ACCOUNT WITH FTB
He would direct you on the procedures of the transfer.
FORTUNE TRUST BANK INT'LEMAIL: oscarchristophercba@yahoo.frPHONE/FAX: +229 98429303CONTACT PERSON: DR. OSCAR CHRISTOPHER
For urgent attention please send email direct to DR. OSCAR on E-mail: oscarchristophercba@yahoo.fr
Remember, your inquiry should be on how to transfer the US$16.6 Million from your non-resident account with the bank into your Local bank account in your country.
RegardsMr. Matt Williams
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