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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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Emmanuel Gibson <driddantata1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dr.idrisdantata02@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2016 02:48:02 -0800
Subject: PART PAYMENT.
Attention;
The sum of $4,500,000 (Four Million Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars) out of your over due total sum has been approved for
payment through ATM cash card system after all attempts to pay you
through bank, and diplomatic courier failed.
The approved sum has been programmed into the ATM cash card which will
be dispatched to you through your address upon reconfirmation. I have
made several attempts to contact you and this is the 3rd and perhaps
the last letter to you in respect to this matter.
Meanwhile, I received a power of attorney from one Mr. Cambell Willie
from U.S.A purportedly issued by you asking us to change the fund
beneficiary to his name.
However, you should kindly reconfirm this information
Your Full Names
Current Address
Current Phone Numbers
Gender
Age
Occupation
NOTE: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is just $157 (One
Hundred and Fifty Seven United State Dollars) nothing more and no
hidden fees of any sort!
Upon receipt of payment the payment officer will ensure that your
package is sent within 24 working hours. Because I am very sure of
everything, I am giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not
receive payment/package within the next
24hrs after you have made the payment for shipping.
Good luck and kind regards
Making the world a better place!
Emmanuel Gibson.
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