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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: JOHN MARK <mrsmary02williams@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
Attn: Funds Beneficiary,
Your US$20.5M has been registered with Central Bank of Nigeria and
International Monetary Fund (IMF) including European Parliament and
Asia Government to release your fund immediately without any further
delay.Your outstanding payment will be release to you immediately you
provide your details listed below:
1) Your full Name:
2) Your Full Address:
3) Phones, Fax and Mobile No:
4) Profession, Age and Marital Status:
5) Copy of any valid form of your Identification:
Meanwhile all legal documents will be release to you before your fund
will be credit into your bank account.
Thanks for your maximum co-operation.
John Mark
Central Bank of Nigeria
Director of Accountant of Central Bank of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
