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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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- southafrica_bnk@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: HSBC BANK LONDON <copier@pella386.com>
Reply-To: <info_reservebankofSA@protonmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:37:05 -0700
Subject: Your Approved Payment
Attn: Beneficiary.
This mail serves to inform you that we have finally concluded arrangements towards your lottery payment which was on hold in Our Bank for Long Period Due to Lack of Cooperation and Dealings with Wrong Officials of the Bank.
Right now the Ministry of Finance Bank of England HSBC Bank Plc and United Kingdom Inland Revenue gathered some meeting concerning how winning fund prize will be released into your designated bank account in your country without further delay since we’re in the ending of the year 2018 and it’s now due to be released as the said funds belongs to you.
We apologize for the delay of your payment and all the inconveniences that we might have caused you during this period. However we have made Contact with the Reserve Bank of South Africa to handle the Final Release of Fund into your account since you cannot meet up in settling all the charges requested for the release of fund into your account as the beneficiary.
The Bank of England Director (Mr. Spencer Dale) have give serious warning and Instructions and ordered to the Inland Revenue Services Department England to quickly released all the on hold funds which is in their escrow account custody to the sole beneficiary’s which you are among those who will receive their Inheritance
To Claim your fund you need to Contact Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of South Africa Dr. Daniel Mminele as the Reserve Bank Does not Deal with Individual but Banks So you are Advice to Contact Dr.Daniel Mminele on his email Address:Southafrica_Bnk@hotmail.com with your Details and Cooperate with him to Guide you on how to Obtain a Clearance for the Immediate Release of your fund into your Account. As soon as you have contacted him tell him to help you to obtain the Clearance Certificate which is the only document you are required to provide.
You Are Requested to Provide below Details to Dr. Daniel Mminele while contacting him
Full Name... Tel...............................................
Address ……………….. Amount.............................................
A Copy of your ID or any of your identification
You’re truly
Mr. Cargill John
Manager Foreign Remittance Department HSBC Bank London
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Anti-fraud resources:
