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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- zenithbank_o@yahoo.com.ph (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Adams Willams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zenithbank_o@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2013 13:26:57 -0700
Subject: Attention: My Dear.
Attention: My Dear.
I write to inform you that i have your Certified Bank Draft here in my office to send to you as directed by my boss.
I have been waiting for you since to come down here and pick up your Bank Draft of TWO Million Dollars (2 Million Dollars) but did not heard from you for long time now,
Well, i want you to know that i have deposited the Bank Draft with Zenith Bank of Nigeria, because i will be traveling to London England for my year course and will not come back till ending of January 2014.
So now i have arranged with Zenith Bank of Nigeria. to make your payment to you with their new ATM MASTER CARD which you can use to withdraw your money in any ATM MACHINE around the globe/world.
Because the Bank Draft was getting to the expire date. So You have to contact the Zenith Bank of Nigeria with your full contact information's such as follows:
1) YOUR FULL NAME ..................
2) YOUR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS...........
3) YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS..................
4) YOUR PHONE AND FAX NUMBER................
5) YOUR OCCUPATION........................
6) YOUR PHOTOGRAPH ................
7) YOUR COUNTRY...........................
However, Kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your ATM Master Card
E:mail (zenithbank_o@yahoo.com.ph)
Director in Charge: DR.RICHARD SMITH
The United Nation Payment Agent in Zenith Bank of Nigeria.
Telephone:+234-8060969683
So try to contact DR.RICHARD SMITH United Nation Payment Agent in Nigeria for your ATM Card as soon as possible to quicken the process of you ATM Card before your Bank Draft gets Expired.
Let me know as soon as you receive your ATM Master Card.
Thank you and may the good lord be with you
Regards,
Asams Willams
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