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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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: "Mrs.Halimat Ibrahim" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ubaplc00001@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 01:42:48 -0500
Subject: Re:ATM Collection
>
Greeting To You Beneficiary,
My names are Halimat Ibrahim, I am the head of foreign operation officer of UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. Your File was brought to my table when I resumed to this office on the 1st of this Month and during my official research I discovered an abandoned ATM MASTER CARDS belongs to you as the rightfully intimate beneficiary. Also for security reason I am contacting you through my personal email.
I tried finding out why this cards have not been released to you but I was told that the former ATM head of operation who left this office last month with-held your cards for his own personal use without knowing that I will not approve or support him to make use of your ATM Master cards. Your ATM Master cards are still available for collection here in our bank.
You are free to come down here in our bank to pick up your cards direct from my office or alternatively it can be send to your address through any registered reliable courier service. I wouldnt know the cost of shipping the cards to you but if you permit me I will go to the courier company to find out the cost, but in that case you will be required to forward to me your address to enable find out the shipment cost to your location.
Your direct telephone number and email address will be needed and more details of your ATM card payment will be made known to you as soon as I receive your swift positive response, to enable you know the amount programmed for your ATM daily withdrawal.
Get back to me as soon as you receive this message. You can also reach me on my direct line: Tel: +234 905 125 3475 for oral discussion.
Thanks For your anticipated co-operation and understanding. We will serve you better.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs.Halimat Ibrahim
Tel:+234 905 125 3475
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Anti-fraud resources:
