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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)
- 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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Director of the Finance Department <andrew.goodlock111@gmail.com>
Reply-To: k.c_james14@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2017 10:16:18 +0100
Subject: CALL ME Urgent Response Needed
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
DEPT: WORLD DEBT RECONCILIATION AGENCIES.
ADVISE: YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT NOTIFICATION
TELL/FAX + 234 8087716043
Attention:
A power of attorney was forwarded to our office this morning by two
individuals (MR DAVID DEANE an American national and (MR. RICKY
JACKSON) a CANADIAN national.
They claimed to be your representative, and the power of attorney
stated that you are dead, they brought an account to replace your
information in other to claim the said fund which is now lying
DORMANT and UNCLAIMED.
Find below the new account they have submitted for claims
BANK.-HSBC CANADA
Vancouver, CANADA
ACCOUNT NO. 2984-0008-66
The power of attorney also stated that you suffered and died of throat
cancer.You are therefore given 24hrs to confirm the truth in this
information, If you are still alive,you are to contact us immediately
since we work 24 hrs just to ensure that we monitor all the activities
going on in regards to the transfer of beneficiaries inheritance and
contract payment.
You are to respond swiftly for clarifications on this matter as we
shall be available 24 hrs to speak with 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 liable for any wrong payment.
Kindly reply
Mr K. C MATTHEW
Director of the Finance Department
International Monetary Funds
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