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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: williams scot <willscot44@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 18:46:38 +0100
Subject: Concerning Your Long Overdue Payment
My Dear
Concerning Your Long Overdue Payment
Please note this mail became imperative because of the urgency of it.I was
with Senate committee Chairman in charge of contract payment for an issue
and during the cause of our discussion I saw your file on his table. I was
surprise and I brought your matter up for discussion. I told him the
difficulties you are having in receiving your fund. I told him your
willingness to comply but because of mistrust in the Nigerian government in
releasing your money you are not willing to suffer any more.
After listing to me, he had pity on you and then ask me if you are willing
to be paid via our offshore account with CITIBANK NA. He said if you are
willing then that can be arranged but you will pay us 20% of the total
fund. If you agree to this then we can start up the process. For you to be
sure of the reality of what I am saying, CITIBANK NA will issue the POF (
proof of Fund ) in your favor, and send it directly to your bankers, for a
bank to bank confirmation. After confirmation of the POF LETTER, you pay 2%
Clearance and Security Charges of the total face value then fund will be
released into your bank account.
Confirm if this is ok with you then I will go ahead to conclude the
arrangement.
l wait your response.
Regards
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Anti-fraud resources:
