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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)
- 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.
- oceanic.operations@post.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs.Treasure Johnson <louisearoberts@msn.com>
Reply-To: <oceanic.operations@post.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 23:02:36 +0000
Subject: Hi
Re: Bank Payment Notification/Wire Transfer Approvals
We wish to inform you that you have been recommended by my bank Oceanic Bank Plc, to pay you the sum of $10.5Million United States Dollars which is based on the understanding and current proposed legislative payment agreement. Our Bank as a member of the financial services compensation scheme established under the financial services and market act 2010 as at 31 Dec, The Bank is subjected to pay all outstanding debts within the European Economic Areas and Deposits denominated in all currencies and treated alike. Reply to our official Email: (oceanic.operations@post.com)
To ensure we carry out our normal payment procedures accurately and to help in continually improve our services and interest of security; we therefore demand that you send your proper identity to confirm your person as the beneficiary. We shall also require you to confirm your acceptance to receive funds. Please indicate correct telephone number, address and receiving Bank details. Any information that is not correct may likely prohibit us from making transfer. Your information will be treated with utmost security and shall be used for services related reasons. We would like to inform you that our Bank shall be making transfer to your account once we have received your full acceptance replying this mail. We shall open a Non Resident Investment account in your name with our Bank and then shall provide you with e-online Bank details to enable you make online transfer if you wish.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Treasure Johnson
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