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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "atmcardpostoffice@yahoo.co.jp" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" 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.
- 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.
- atmcardpostoffice@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Sadiq Alman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmcardpostoffice@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 19:07:07 -0400
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT NOTIFICATION.
ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL
2.ADDRESS: 2-22006 BP 1409 LAGOS
ATM MASTER CARD REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
Email atmcardpostoffice@yahoo.co.jp
TEL/+2348054 514 247
From Desk of Director
Zenith Bank OF Nigeria
Atm Master Card Dispatch
Dr. Sadiq Alman
OUR/REF/2C3-ZB NG
I am Dr. Sadiq Alman Director of (ZENITH BANK OF NIGERIA) I decided to contact you because of the prevailing financial report reaching my Office in Nigerian today.
This is to inform you about our plan to send your Fund to you Via Atm Master Card Delivery System; this system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send your payment of US$10.5 Million to you via DHL-UPS-Or FEDEX courier service. I have secured every needed document to cover this Atm Master Card.
Note: This Atm Master Card is coming in a wrapped envelop which is sealed with Synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. I will use my position to release this Fund to you, the envelop is coming with a Courier agent who will deliver it to you at your home address.
All you need to do now is to reconfirm the following information:
Your full Names.
Your Present Contact Address.
Your Telephone & Fax Numbers.
Your Occupations /Age/ Sex.
Your Private Email Address.
A Copy of your ID.
Marital Status.
Note: That the Agent does not know the contents in these wrapped envelop, the content was declared to him as Sensitive Photographic Film Materials.
I will secure the clearance Certificate that will be tagged in the envelop which I will dispatch along with the Pin Code of the Atm Master Card to enable you access it as soon as it is delivered to You.
You are advise to call me for more direction and instruction on how to receive your ATM Master Card Please confirm the receipt of this mail and get back to this Office Accordingly.
Best Regards,
Dr. Sadiq Alman
INTL, FOREIGN SWIFT/CARD DEPT
Tel: +2348054 514 247
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Anti-fraud resources:
