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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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- ubaremittancedepartment@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: UBA Group Bank <olakitanfemi2001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ubaremittancedepartment1@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2022 11:59:44 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY BENEFICIARY,
UBA Group Bank
Carrefour des trios Banques Avenue Pape Jean Paul II, Cotonou
Remittance Director: Agoman Chris
Contact Tel: +229 91 80 97 67
Email: ubaremittancedepartment@hotmail.com
Attention Beneficiary.
We have been mandated to inform you of your pending unclaimed fund
amounting to the sum of ($12,500.000USD) in our Bank and also to bring
to your notice that all unpaid fund has been directed by the United
Nation/International Monetary Fund to dispatch to the various
beneficiaries including you with immediate effect due to the ongoing
pandemic saga. You are advised to get back to us now with your details
for fast processing and transfer of your fund as directed.
Congratulations and waiting to hear back from you
Thanks for your Co-operation and we looking forward to hear from you.
Nancy Sekho
From UBA Group Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
