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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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "mr.kenneth lewis" <mr.kennethlewis2010@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:20:33 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION FROM BANK OF AMERICA.
Bank of America
1890 Epps Bridge Pkwy, Athens, GA 30606
NOTIFICATION FROM BANK OF AMERICA.
Attn:
be informed that one MRS. Nancy Walker is in our bank today on your
behalf trying to transfer your inheritance of $10.5 million USD into
her own personal account.which the U.S government has decided to
compasate all the scam victims, please did you sent any body to do
that on your behalf? if no we advice you to get back to us now so that
we commence the transfer into your account immediately.
you receive this email from us.
these are the information we needed from you to commence the
transfer.
congratulations once again.
1.Your Full Bank Account Details
2.Your Direct Cell or office phone to reach you
3.Your address of locations
4.Your full name
5.Occupation
Thanks for banking with Bank of America while we look forward to serve
you with the best of our service.
Thanks and God bless you.
Regards,
Mr.Kenneth Lewis,
Chief A/C officer
B O A Georgia Branch.
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Anti-fraud resources:
