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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 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 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: United Bank Plc <mr.ken_allen@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: United Bank Plc <unitedbnkplc6@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 01:18:04 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your Atm Cash Package is waiting for your delivery Address
Â
DEAR CUSTOMER,
This is to inform you that your ATM Visa Card has been issued in your name and the total amount of USD$4.5 Million Dollars has been loaded into your ATM account with our Bank Uba Benin Republic to enable you withdraw ten thousand dollars per day once received from any ATM machine that has Visa Card Logo on it worldwide. Your full receiver’s name and delivery address is needed for the shipping of the ATM Card to your address without any further delay. We have been instructed to make sure that you receive the Card before the next 7 working days.
Your ATM Card scan copy and manual paper on how to use the card will be attached in our next email once the Card is registered with Delivery Company. Therefore kindly get back to us with your full home address, cell phone and your name without mistake to avoid delivery to the wrong person as we shall not held responsible if any lose occurred from address giving.
Call if you have any question +229 68 170 853
Best Regards,
Mr. Edwin Mark
Uba ATM Payment Director
+229 68 170 853
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Anti-fraud resources:
