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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Federal Reserve Bank" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alvaradolgas@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:47:43 +0100
Subject: Re: REALLOCATION OF THE $22.5M sha
Head Office
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
33 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10045
We have been waiting for you to get the requested documents in regards to the transaction of $22.5m,but till date,you have not secured any documents.The Board of Directors have instructed that we conclude the transaction with immediate effect or reallocate the money to your representatives.
Note that the documents must be secured immediately or else the funds will be reallocated.
Attached are the scanned copies of your representatives.
Awaiting your urgent response.
SINCERELY.
Janet L. Yellen
Chairman Board of Governors,
Federal Reserve Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
