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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "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.
- 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.
- kojomark@superposta.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "National Security Agency" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbicrm10@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 08:53:33 -0400
Subject: PAYMENT UPDATE
National Security Agency F.B.I Homeland Security are working together to released the pending payment of US$10.5Million in your favor.
Be informed that Federal Reserve Bank will transfer the approved fund of US$10.5Million into your bank account within two working days you secure FUND IDENTIFICATION RECORD CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE from below agent.
Therefore you are advise to Contact Mark Kojo on Tel +234-8169609435 or email : kojomark@superposta.com and requested for FUND IDENTIFICATION RECORD CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE to empower American's alliance prospect order for immediate release of us$10.5million in your favor.
Contact Person: Mark Kojo
E mail.address: kojomark@superposta.com
Telephone: +234-8169609435
Office Address: 15A Awolowo !Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.Nigeria.
After providing this mentioned document National Security Agency will authorize Federal Reserve Bank to remit us$10.5million into your bank account because with provision of this required document we shall clear the fund to be released in your account without any hitches or delay.
Failure to secure the mentioned document is punishable by law
We need this Fund Identification Record clearance Certificate as a proof to the below frozen wired transaction ID : 1010253822148 and Be informed that You do not have any rights to receive these US$10.5Milion UNTIL YOU SECURE Fund Identification Record clearance Certificate from our payment coordinator Mr Mark Kojo .
Note you don't have all the time in the world and delay is dangerous.
Mr. Brian Bluckwall
For: National Security Agency (NSA)
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Anti-fraud resources:
