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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:
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- 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: "Rev.Joseph Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrcurtisroy@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:59:27 -0400
Subject: I hope this mail gets to you in good faith.
Good Day,
I hope this mail gets to you in good faith.
Let me start by introducing myself to you, I am Reverend Joseph Smith and a banker by profession with banking experience of 23years. Presently,I am working with the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN) at the transfer department and am in charge of Foreign Transfer Department.
I want to use this opportunity to let you know that I came across your file that was painted Red and marked X and your transfer has been put on pending and hold for so long. I took time to carry out my investigation and only to find out that you have paid VIRTUALLY all fees but the fund was not released to you.
I'm writing to confirm if you are DEAD or Alive because I am looking for all means to get this fund across to you or your family.
I needed to do this because you need to know the statues of your Funds and cause for the delay, please this is like a Mafia setting in Nigeria, and you may not understand it because you are not a Nigerian. I am only doing this because I have the fear of GOD in me and I hate to see people been cheated.
Note that the actual funds is valued at US$8.5M and i have transferred your funds out of the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA and deposited it at the NatWest Bank PLC U.K on your behalf.
I shall be looking forward to hear from you if you are still very much alive.
You are to get in touch with me through my cell phone +234-80-3337-8883
I remain your brother in the Lord Almighty.
Best Regard
Rev.Joseph Smith
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