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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:
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "info@guarantyintl.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "creditagent@guarantyintl.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Grace Joe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <guarantybank001@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2017 23:18:18 -0800
Subject: FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT.
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT.
We write to inform you that we have completed the processing of your Online Banking Account with our reliable and paying Bank (1st Guaranty Bank), and has successfully commenced total deposit of your Fund Value of US$12.5Million into your Account, ready for transfer.
Meanwhile, you are advised to contact the Bank for the Login Access of your funds in your Account to begin with your fund transfer personally. Please keep close to your email and keep me posted as soon as you email the Bank and heard from them with details of your Account.
BANK NAME: 1st Guaranty Bank(Head Office Annex)
E-mail: info@guarantyintl.com
Accounting officer: creditagent@guarantyintl.com
Tel/Fax: +1 917-283-4499
Also, we have as well obtained the Certificate of Deposit of your fund that was issued by the 1st Guaranty Bank.
Kindly keep me informed immediately you contact and heard from the Bank with the details of your Account to begin with your fund transfer.
Call me on my direct Line at +1 917-283-4499 for any clearance needed..
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
We Anticipate your Kind Co-operation.
Regards,
Mrs. Grace Joe
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Anti-fraud resources:
