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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:
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. James P. Gorman" <smh2022@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <morgan.stanley42@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 16:35:08 +0900
Subject: RE: PAYMENT INSTRUCTION
Re: Bank Payment Notification/Wire Transfer Approvals
Am Mr.James
P. Gorman Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley, We wish to inform you
that you have been recommended by Morgan Stanley Bank International
Limited , to pay you the sum of ($8.6Million United States Dollars)
which is based on the understanding and current proposed legislative
payment agreement with the British government and the Bank of England.
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. 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 this funds. You are also advised to
send us your personal details in the manner stated below for the release
of your funds into your designed bank account.
1. Your Full name....................................................................
2. Your telephone......................................................................
3. Your country...............................................................................
4. Copy of your driver"s license................................................
5. Your bank name.....................................................................
6. Your account number.............................................................
7. Bank routing...........................................................................
8. Swift code.............................................................................
9. Account holder"s name.......................................................
10. Your correct Age....................................................................
11. Your Occupation......................................................................
Yours sincerely,
Mr. James P. Gorman
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