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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:
- "money laundering" ("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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "courier service" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: <SCBMAIL@bsdmail.com>
Reply-To: <sumuncewill@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2017 05:31:49 -0500
Subject: RE: NOTIFICATION DESK (Customer Service): DELIVERY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL
CERTIFIED BANK SWIFT CREDIT CARD
From: Samantha Nurton
Date: 04/03/17
Dear Sir
RE: URGENT DELIVERY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK SWIFT ATM/CREDIT CARD
Having received the official letter from Mr. David Lewis, Executive Secretary. The Financial Action Task Force Center (FATF) for the delivery of your INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK SWIFT ATM/CREDIT CARD with Your daily Card Limit for US$20,000.00 USD per day. The Card is valid till December 2019.
Having legally certified that your incoming payment funds are Not part of Government Corruption Funding from the Country of Origin through their affiliate group,The Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG). A {MEMBER} of (FATF) has issued the Clean Bill Report Payment Clearance Certificate in your name.
Our nearest hand to hand delivery officer/representative to your residence address/office will delivery your INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK SWIFT ATM/CREDIT CARD to you only with a copy of your identification as a confirmation.
Our hand to hand deliver officer/representative requires the urgent reconfirmation of your residential address/office and a scan copy of your identification as a confirmation during delivery.
Yours Sincerely
Samantha Nurton
FATF Registered Courier Services
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Anti-fraud resources:
