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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- officefil10005@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Scott Miller." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <officefil10005@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2017 01:59:14 -0800
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION.
Dear Beneficial,
URGENT ATTENTION IN RESPECT TO YOUR FUND TRANSFER
After a brief meeting held by the board of directors of Barclays bank Plc, and the Audit and Accounts Unit of British Financial Intelligent agency here in London, United Kingdom to see to the release of long term debt owed to many foreigners around the globe who have been denied of their payments. Our bank (Barclays Bank Plc) has been authorized to handle the urgent release of all funds owed by any of the financial institution or country that is a member of the United Nations, the release of your funds will be handled by Barclays Bank in conjunction with their preventative of the British Financial Intelligent Audit Department to ensure immediate payment in your favor and to avoid delay.
I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that due to large fund we are transferring this season yours transfer will be in two installments. Be advised to reconfirm your banking information and return to our office by email (officefil10005@gmail.com) to enable us start the process of releasing your fund, be also advised to send a copy of your identification. As soon as I receive the information mentioned above, your payment will be made to your account.
You are hereby advised to stop any further communication with anyone else or any other financial institution and comply with this to avoid any further delay. Remember that the British Financial Intelligent Agency and Government of the debtor country will not be interested in any complaint of not receiving your funds if you fail to adhere to this instruction.
Regards
Mr Scott Miller.
Transfer Depart.
Barclays Bank Plc.
Tel: +44-745-9772257
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Anti-fraud resources:
