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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 united states 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)
- "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.
- dr.demionakajiaku@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "THE PRESIDENCY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.cosmosude@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2013 03:31:18 -0000
Subject: You funds has been approved.
THE PRESIDENCY
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN PAYMENT
(PAYMENT RESOLUTION PANEL)
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT F.G.N
Our Ref: FGN /CBN/SBN/1123N-13
ATTENTION Beneficiary.
Dear Sir,
We write to inform you that the International Monetary Funds(IMF) in association with the United Nations has agreed to approved the sum of US$15.5 Million United States dollars to be credited to your account as your inheritance payment.
However, you funds has been approved yesterday and here is your approval code.
APPROVAL NOTICE: APV/CBN/FGN-VOL1
BATCH NO: FMF/2113NS-ING
RELEASE CODE: BNKWTF-2013-UNWB
The above mentioned funds is now in the custody of the payee bank i.e. Skye bank plc. Be notified that Skye Bank Of Nigeria Plc is transferring this funds under strict surveillance of the International Communities. You should contact the branch manager Skye Bank Marina office Lagos:
Contact Person: Dr. Demion Akajiaku
Direct Telephone: +234-8086645083
Email Address: dr.demionakajiaku@yahoo.com.hk
during your contact to him, you have to make mention of the above approval codes for identification and immediate release of your funds.
Finally, you have stop communication with whosoever that might be contacting you with respect to your funds as we are ready to complete your inheritance payment now.
Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Rev. Cosmos Ude
Chairman on International Matters
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Anti-fraud resources:
