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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "uk national lottery" (can only win this lottery if you bought a ticket)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "PHILLIPS ODUOZA (GMD/CEO)" <hr@mail.yamoffice.yam.com>
Reply-To: <adam_koffi@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:32:25 +0200
Subject: >Certified ATM CARD collection<
United Bank of Africa
>From UBA Groups
PAYMENT RELEASE NOTIFICATION
From: Mr. PHILLIPS ODUOZA (GMD/CEO)
Remittance Manager
Attention: Beneficiary,
This is to officially inform you that I have received your contract inheritance file presented on my desk from the Ministry of Finance Nigeria, and it’s important that I contact you for verification before the release of your (compensation) outstanding payment which is truly $4.6 Million USD. The United Nation High Commision for human right in colaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria has scheduled a time frame to settle all foreign debts which includes Contract/Inheritance/Gambling/ Lottery (Sponsored by Microsoft and UK National Lottery) and other international loans. News had it that over the past, numerous individual(s) who happen to be impostors (claiming to be individuals, banks and organizations) are claiming to release numerous sums of fund via numerous ways.
After the board meeting held at our headquarters and also with the approval from the ministry of finance Nigeria, the Central bank has authorized us to send you a MasterCard which gives you access to make withdrawals from your total sum of $4.6 Million USD. (Four Million Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
Do write/call to the name (Koffi Adams) below since he’s in charge of our customer's unit for clearance before your MasterCard along with an official document from United Bank of Africa that will contain directions for your card usage will be sent to you through DHL services.
Its rest assured that you can make withdrawals with your MasterCard from any ATM MACHINE near you or in any part of the world.
To proceed further and for information on when to expect your card as well you're to contact the below person with your personal information which must include your full name and phone/cell number:
Mr. Koffi Adams
Customer Unit (UBA)
Email: adam_koffi@yahoo.cn
.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Best Regards,
PHILLIPS ODUOZA (GMD/CEO)
Remittance Manager
United Bank of Africa.
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