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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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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: "Mr. Musa Adams" <officemail225@gmail.com>
Reply-To: debtmanagmentoffice@web.co.zw
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2017 16:24:55 +0100
Subject: CONFIRM YOUR STATUS (CODE:yslee)
DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE,
GARKI-ABUJA.
ADVISE: YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT
NOTIFICATION
A power of attorney was forwarded to our office this morning by one Mr. Stanley Rosenzweig
He claimed you are dead and tendered a Power oF Attorney and Affidavit to support his claim.He brought an account to replace your information in other to claim your fund of $7.5 Million Usd which is now
lying DORMANT and UNCLAIMED.
Below is the new account they have submitted:
BANK:AMERICA EXPRESS FSB
BANK ADD:P.O.BOX 30384,
SALT LAKE CITY,UTAH 84130
PHONE/FAX 8566168739
BENEFICIARY:MR.STANLEY ROSENZWEIG
Be further informed that this power of attorney also stated that you suffered and died of throat cancer.
You are to reply to this office immediately (debtmanagmentoffice@web.co.zw) for clarifications on this matter as we shall be available 24 hrs to attend to you and give you the necessary guidelines on how to ensure that your payment is wired to you
immediately.
Just also be informed that any further delay from your side could be dangerous, as we would not be held responsible of wrong payment.
Musa Adams
Executive Secretary,
D.M.O
debtmanagmentoffice@web.co.zw
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Anti-fraud resources: