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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "@diplomats.com" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- +447024013989 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- fasglobal2010category@diplomats.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Peter Owen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fsa.peterowen@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 19:20:18 +0100
Subject: Your Email Today
Subject: From Financial Advisory Services London.Uk
Financial Advisory Services London.Uk
In associate with the Global Finance and Security Company
16 Alpha Business Centre
60 South Grove
London. E17 7NX
Mobile No:+447024013989
Official email:fasglobal2010category@diplomats.com
TO:UNPAID BENEFICIARY
IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): G.B.C. 0097 H.C.A./Your Memo
Title: Beneficiary Unpaid
Level of description: Finalized
I am Peter Owen a diplomat with the financial advisory department. Your information along with 4 others has been given
to me for diplomatic delivery of your consignment of funds and valuables goods.
My destination will be at your airport in your country or your home designated location for the delivery of your consignment
in my custody to you personally. I will be booking my flight itinerary as soon as i hear from you, hence my notification for
you to confirm your home address I want to inform you that i will be meeting with you personally and face to face to delivery
hand in hand your consignment in my custody. I will need a valid identification from you and a valid phone number for me to reach you.
You will have to inform me of your present destination/location so i will know how far you are from the airport.
Kindly get back to me as quick as you can through emailing me for the delivery to commence immediately.
Congratulations!
Respond swiftly.
Regards,
Peter Owen
Diplomat for FAS
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Anti-fraud resources:
