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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:
- "lagos" (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.
- 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: Mrs Susan Patrick <miki_princess2004@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: revpkleck234@inmail24.com
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:15:57 -0800 (PST)
Subject: REPLY
Office of the Presidency
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Lagos Correspondence office
Nigeria
Tel: +234-7086105445
Please be informed that we received one Mr. Justin McDonald who is said he
is your family Lawyer from United States Of America this morning in The
Presidential villa. He claimed that you directed him to pick up your VISA
CARD Issued by INTERCONTINENTAL BANK with the PIN CODE. As soon as we get
confirmations from you, the VISA CARD will be activated and handed over to
him with the PIN CODE.
If the claim of Mr. Justin McDonald is false, kindly forward your details
for the delivery of the VISA CARD to you as stated bellow:
1) Full name to appear on the envelope for delivery
2) Address for Delivery
3) Phone,fax and mobile phone line
4) Your age and occupation
NOTE: THE VISA CARD HAS YOUR APPROVED
PAYMENT OF US$5.5 MILLION LOADED INTO IT FOR INHERITANCE/COMPENSATION.
If you have any objection do immediate E-mail me
Waiting to hear from you immediately.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Susan Patrick
Special Adviser on Special duties
Office of the Presidency
Federal republic of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
