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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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: From Mrs Riley KIm <ww.uinternalrsev.org.1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: convindentialnotice1@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:27:19 +0100
Subject: BE SWIFT IN YOUR RESPONSE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATION
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT SETTLEMENT,
WRIGHT -PAT CREDIT UNION INC.
DAYTON OHIO USA
Attn Fund Owner/ Beneficiary.
Wright Patt Credit Union confirms that funds have
arrived into Our bank here in the USA on transit for credit into
your bank account. We have verified the authenticity of such a
transfer.
In line with the provisions of the Federal Reserve Board and its
additional protocols, you are advised to pay the cost of issuing a
Receivership Authorization from this Bank as demanded by the rules of
the Federal Reserve and the signatory countries of the Financial
Action Task Force.
This will facilitate the immediate credit of your account with the
fund in question without any delay the sum of $25.7 million dollars
from the United Nations. You must be aware that the Federal Reserve is
trying to clear
out the mess in the banking and financial sector hence the need for
This authorization.
You will pay a fee for issuing the Receivership Authorization.
The Receivership authorization will be issued to your bank
immediately you pay this cost and your account will be credited with
immediate effect. Anticipating your swift response with your full
banking details for reconfirmation including your identification ID
while we let you know the exact cost of the receivership authorization
.
Thank you.
Kim Riley
Vice President Service Delivery
Wright Patt Credit Union.
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Anti-fraud resources:
