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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:
- "insurance fee " (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. )
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- u.sbank@yahoo.es (Yahoo, Spain; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Richard Davic" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <u.sbank@yahoo.es>
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:20:08 -0700
Subject: Attention: Dear Fund Beneficiary;
Attention: Dear Fund Beneficiary;
This is to officially inform you that your fund of (USD $10.5M) is now ready to be delivered to you through an ATM Master Card We are so sorry for the delay for the past feel months, now we have been able to solve the problem that was holding your fund by the United Nation (UN), Please kindly reconfirm the information below for your payment and delivery.
Customer details:
1) Your full name:...........
2) Your home address:...........
3) Your cell phone number:..........
4) Identity card or Passport:...........
5) Occupation:.............................
Please note that you are going to pay for the Activation/ Insurance fee of your card which is $450 only. Your ATM Master card payment will be send to you through a Global Post Delivery service it takes 48hours to arrive.
A copy of your ATM card will be sent to you upon the receipt of your details and your payment slip of $450 for the ATM CARD activation and insurance, also note that your Pin code will be given to you through Phone only.
So kindly get back to us with the above requirements to enable us proceed with your payment and delivery immediately
One again we sincerely apologies for the delay.
Mr RICHARD DAVIC
ZENITH BANK PLC
Phone: +16467412256
E-mail: u.sbank@yahoo.es
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<<<<<<<ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER ZENITH BANK PLC OFFICIAL E-MAIL >>>>>>>>>
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