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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:
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- bankplcwema4@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Johnson Lebile" <edwardanthony464@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bankplcwema4@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2021 20:14:14 +0100
Subject: Dear Beneficiary,
Ref: Payment Release Update
Amount Valued: US $10,500,000.00.
Payment allocation security code (WEMA /A84PRFGN2019)
Greetings
This is to bring to your notice that we will effect from this month,
the total sum of{$10.500.000.00} Ten million five hundred thousand
united state dollars which was discovered in this bank in your name as
the beneficiary, during our 2020 file revision will be confiscated.
This fund was deposited by our late customer Dr. George and has you as
apparent heir to it. You are therefore by this notice required to
provide this bank with your personal and banking data to enable us
process and release the said fund to you, or you write and let us know
your preferable choice of receiving your fund.
We shall anticipate your quick response.
Regard.
Mr.Johnson Lebile.
UWEMA BANK PLC.
Email:bankplcwema4@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
