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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "million us 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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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: "Mr.John Paul" <Paul@iris.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.John Paul" <atmcardban8572@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2015 03:20:08 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Welcome to UBA Benin
Welcome to UBA Benin
United Bank for Africa (UBA) plc, Africa's global bank.
Carrefour des trois Banques Avenue Pape Jean Paul II, Cotonou, Benin
P.o.Box 01 BP 2023 Cotonou Benin
URGENT REPLY NEEDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT:
Accredited ATM card (UBA/HS/02482/BG) awarded for contract payment of
$3.5Million US Dollars with card number:3478763199030014 has been
allocated in your favor Your Personal Identification Number is 2482.
Did you instruct Mr. Godwin Brown to collect your ATM CARD worth
USD$3.5million on your behalf? Get back to this office immediately you
receive this message for confirmation and immediate action,
I will advice you confirm the below information immediately and make
sure you fill in the information correctly and contact the ATM PAYMENT
CENTRE with the below information.
COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW:
Did you instruct Mr. Godwin Brown to collect your ATM CARD?:….(Yes/No)
*Your Full Names:……….
*Residential Address: …………
*City:……………..
*State:……………
*Country:……………
*Zip Code:………….
*Direct Phone Number#:……….
*Office Number#:……………..
*Age:………
*Sex:………
*Occupation:……………
*Next of Kin:……………
*Relationship with next of Kin:……….
Note that the shipment of your ATM CARD will be taken care of by the
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA, so you will not have to pay for the shipment.
The only money you will have to pay is $183.00USD for the Stamp duty
and endorsement for the Authorization. Upon your reply and
confirmation of your details your will be advice on further
proceedings.
Looking forward to hearing from you.Regards,
Mr.John Paul
ATM PAYMENT CENTRE
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA BENIN REPUBLIC
ADDRESS: 12/1 Midombo Expway Cotonou-Benin
Telephone: +229-99 79 5931.
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