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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:
- "account opening" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "CAPITAL BANK FUND&CREDIT UNIT" <jamiekasy@gmail.com>
Reply-To: capitalbankfundcreditunit@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2022 01:45:20 +0000
Subject: CONFIRM YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR CREDIT
I have successfully concluded the clearance process today in good
condition. However, I also paid all the clearance charges holding the
transfer. Now the transfer of your approved compensation fund of
$850,000.00 is ready to commence now.
We will open a new domiciliary account in your name and your total approved
Payment of $850,000.00 will be deposited into the new account, your
online login information will be sent to you then you shall be
eligible to transfer to any bank of your choice.
I need you to reconfirm the information below to avoid any mistake in your
account opening and credit of your fund.
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
Once you confirm the above information, your domiciliary account shall be
opened and your fund ready within 24hours, we are sorry we took this long
to reconcile your fund for transfer.
Regards
Alan Jackson
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Capital Bank
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Anti-fraud resources:
