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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "million 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)
- "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)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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: Verification Office <s_hpvcbn@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: s_hpv@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:04:27 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT#: MAV/NOFK/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2011.
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Office of the Chairman,
Audit &Verifications Dept
Central Bank of Nigeria
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Aso Rock Villa,
Abuja, Nigeria
EXTERNAL DEBT BURDEN RELIEF & FISCAL POLICY
YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT#: MAV/NOFK/NNPC/FGN/MIN/2011.
From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the federal government of Nigeria in collaborations with the Commonwealth of Nation through the EXTERNAL DEBT BURDEN RELIEF & FISCAL POLICY your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is going be $9.6 million dollars (Nine million six hundred thousand united states dollars).As part payment.
Please re-confirm to me the followings:
1. Your full name:
2. Your full address:
3. Home telephone:
4. Mobile telephone;
5. Profession:
6. Age:
7. Marital status:
8. Your receiving bank details
9. A Scan copy of your International Passport:
As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made through via our corresponding bank in America or in Europe immediately.
Please treat urgently
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs S. Hassan
Secretary
Payment & Verifications
Central Bank of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
