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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- 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.
- florence_bamidele@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ban Ki-Moon" <P269044@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrbanmrban@aol.com
Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2015 05:49:43 +0100
Subject: Attention:Sir/Madam.(UNITED NATIONS)
3 Whitehall Court London SW1A 2EL United Kingdom TEL:+447587332981 FAX:+448=
704784627 Attention:Sir/Madam. How are you today? Hope all is well with you=
and family? You may not understand why this mail came to you. I wish to in=
form you that we have been having a meeting with the IMF for the past 1 mon=
th now which ends yesterday in regards to innocent individual who has been =
a victim of scam that was going on in African and Europe, this Organization=
(UNITED NATIONS) have agreed to compensate them with the sum of (One Millio=
n Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)US$1,500.00 only. This includ=
es every foreign contractors/Inheritance that may have not received their C=
ontract/Inheritance sum, and some people that have an unfinished Transactio=
n/International Businesses that failed due to one problem or the other. Goi=
ng through our data base your email contacts and name was found on the list=
and that is why we are contacting you for you to receive your own compensa=
tion and this said money will be paid via ATM VISA CARD Payment Method whic=
h is the easiest and safer way of receiving fund without any hindrance and =
it will be issued to you from our Authorized Bank in Nigeria-Africa (Zenith=
Bank Plc)You are advised to contact Name:Mrs.Florence Bamidele Tel:+234-1-=
8152009 Email:florence_bamidele@aol.com As she is our Legal Representative =
in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your own ATM CARD, you should send =
her your full Name and telephone number your confidential address where you=
want him to send the Card. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive =
your ATM CARD. Best regards, Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon
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Anti-fraud resources:
