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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:
- "express courier delivery" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "m.gram@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "m.gram@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mdina Sephou <m.medina886@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Mdina Sephou <m.gram@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2014 12:50:06 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Hello Sir/ Madam
Hello Sir/ Madam, You’re expected to call ATM office at +22968298741. We know is very difficult for you to understand because it has being long time you are waiting for your ATM Master Card but right now things are really worked out to your expectation.
You have to understand that your file has gotten to office of ATM Swift Card and already finalized all the necessary arrangement, beside most original Card presently is ATM MASTER CARD and is being sent from Africa is 95% while visa card is 55%.Office of ATM Swift Card department wants you to understand that everything is in order (ECO-WAS HIGH COURT WEST AFRICA) Decided to pay you via ATM MASTER CARD which worth sum of $5.5 USD
It was approved to be issued to you as a valid international ATM card at any ATM machine designation in the world. The ATM account has already being credited with five million, five hundred thousand United States dollars. ($5.500, 000.00USD) , with a daily Limit of withdrawal of twelve thousand euros. (12.000, 00 EURO).The ATM card has already being packaged and approved to be delivered to your door step via express courier delivery service to enable you have access of withdraw your fund.
Reconfirm your delivery information as stated below for security reasons to the ATM Office email at: (m.gram@outlook.com ) Phone +22968298741 Manager: Dr.Ayo Frank
DELIVERY INFORMATION
FULL NAME:
AGE:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
CELL PHONE NUMBER:
CURRENT OCCUPATION:
SCAN COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT
Thanks for your co-operation:
FROM MINISTRY OF FINANCE
contact the ATM Office email at = (m.gram@outlook.com)
Best regards
Mdina Sephou
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Anti-fraud resources:
