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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "clear source of funds certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- ssa1996785@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ssa1996785@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2015 23:17:17 -0800
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary!!!
Attention: Beneficiary
I have been informed by the CHEVRON/TEXACO COMPANY LTD to anticipate your message as this office has been assigned to handle the payment of your grant donation prize. I would advise you follow the instructions given to you and your Donation parcel will be sent to you fully sealed within the next 48hours. A cheque has been issued in your name and we have concluded the processing of all documents that will facilitate the clearance of the cheque in your Bank. This document includes the following:
1.DONATION CHEQUE VALUED THE SUM OF US$8,000,000.00. 2. DONATION CERTIFICATE FROM THE CHEVRON/TEXACO EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY LTD (CTEPC). 3.CLEAR SOURCE OF FUNDS CERTIFICATES(C.S.F.C.) 4.LETTER OF AFFIDAVITS FROM THE NIGERIAN HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE, STATING THAT THE DONATION WAS RECEIVED LEGALLY FROM THE UNIVERSAL DONATION PROGRAMME, AND DULY SIGNED BY THE LEGAL ATTORNEY TO THE ECOWAS.
These documents have been securely sealed and packed for security reasons which makes it impossible for anyone to view it until its been delivered to you.
Contact our fiduciary agent for the claim of your prize and provide the information below;
1. Full Name....
2. Address of Residence...
3. Country from...
4. Telephone Number...
5. Occupation.......
6. Age...
Contact Agent;
Directors Name: MR, STEVEN ALFRED
Company’s Name: CHEVRON/TEXACO COMPANY LTD NG
E-mail: ssa1996785@gmail.com
Tel: +234 816 221 0138
Kindly respond by sending us back an email immediately you receive this mail.
Sir. Anthony Mark.
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
ECOWAS HEAD OFFICE.
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Anti-fraud resources:
