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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. )
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Latex Holdings <drasimmons101@gmail.com>
Reply-To: llee1960usa@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2022 08:18:10 +0000
Subject: She is Your Beneficiary???!!
For Your Immediate Attention
The World Bank, United Nations and IMF has Approved to pay you your
outstanding payment{$7,950,000.00} via First Financial Credit USA . This is
a compensation funds of victims of truncated business activities and scam
victims who had dealing with many people . We have documents showing you
had bee a victim and your compensation was approved.
We also will want you to testify later in court after we apprehend some of
these criminals mostly in Africa. Our team are currently in Africa persuing
some of these cases.
This decision was made last week. With this development, a woman by name
(Mrs Faith Scott) came to our office with an application stating that you
gave her the power of attorney as the beneficiary of your outstanding
fund.She made us believe that you are dead and that she is your next of
kin. We decided to contact you via your email address for confirmation
hoping to find out if you are dead or alive and also to find out if you at
any time gave this woman the power of attorney to represent you.
She recently indicated paying us the mandatory $200 for the application FOR
THE AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM and IMF FUNDS CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE which we have so
far refused to collect till we confirm if she was sent by you.
Please let us know also if you are aware that we are almost ready to
transfer part payment of your outstanding funds to her nominated bank
account stated below:
Bank Name: Wachovia Bank
Address: 1723 Palmdale Bulv.
Palmdale Ca. 93550
Acct #: 3573813158
Rout #: 322271627
Swift code #: WMSBUS66
Beneficiary: Faith Scott
If you are not aware of the above instruction, do respond to this email
immediately by contacting the Rep.Exec.at the International remittance
department with your contact details: Full Names, Contact address and
Telephone number #.
Regards
Rep.UN /IMF/First Financial Credit Union.USA.
Tel: +18085616843
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Anti-fraud resources:
