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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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: "John Harvey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <us_diplomat1@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:45:54 -0700
Subject: From Mr John Harvey
Hello Dear,
My name is John Harvey, Am a top American diplomat attached to the United Nations. I am currently
assigned to head the diplomatic sector of the United Nations regional office in Seattle Washington U.S.A. I
was officially assigned by the United Nations to assist you deliver your Inheritance funds to your address.
As a united nations diplomat i handle other personal deliveries like this deal, All i need from you is
understanding inorder to make a safe delivery to your destination without hitches. I have made all necessary
arrangements to proceed to your destination as soon as you confirm the below information.
1.) The address you want the consignment to be delivered to
2.) Your direct cell phone number for easy contact
3.)The airport nearest to you
4.) Your dress code for easy recognition in the airport
Then you have to come with a cadboard paper boldly written my name 'JOHN HARVEY' to avoid misdirection
of package.
I will inform you on my flight itinerary as soon as i hear from you. I will attached my official ID and my
diplomatic passport in my next e-mail for proper identification. We need to hasten up as I have an immediate
diplomatic assignment to handle as soon as i complete this. I will proceed to obtain the final diplomatic
clearance from the United Nations office right now as soon as i send this email and I will also confirm the
validity of the diplomatic yellow 'TAG' which has been already procured on the package. Your immediate
response to this email will be appreciated.
God Bless
John Harvey
U.S.Diplomat
206-333-1451
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Anti-fraud resources:
