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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- johnmore011@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "United Bank for Africa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnmore011@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2018 00:12:57 +0700
Subject: RE:Your approved ATM CARD.
Attn: Beneficiary
Presidential Committee on Foreign Payments. This is to officially inform you that your (ATM Card Number;5640-0179-4810-3516) has been accredited in your favor. I wish to inform you that your Compensation Payment of (US$5.5 Million) has been approved and ready to be release to you through ATM CARD. You hereby advice to contact the payment Officer at the ATM PAYMENT CENTER with your personal details. You are hereby please advice to contact the Director, Foreign operation department (United Bank for Africa) With Details Below:
Contact Person: Mr John Moore
Office Number: +234-8100023249
Contact Email: (johnmore011@yahoo.co.jp)
Kindly forward your information to the email address below:
Full Name:
Delivery Address:
Country:
Phone Number:
Occupation:
Sex/Age:
Verification Code: ATM-ASIA701
This is to draw your attention that all necessary documents has been put in place all that is required of you is US$180 for the Delivery of your approved funds which is to be sent to you via DHL International Courier Service {DHL} Or United Parcels Services {UPS}. The officer in charge does await your response in other to proceed with the delivery.
Thanks and act accordingly.
Regards,
Mrs.Caroline Jones
Secretary
United Bank for Africa
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Anti-fraud resources:
