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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- jessica.brown420@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Jessica Brown <of222t@att.net>
Reply-To: jessica.brown420@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 10:35:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Be Happy Your Fund Will Be Delivered.
I am a Diplomat named Jessica Brown.Who is presently working with the Diplomatic United Nation here in LAGOS-NIGERIA.I was mandated to deliver or transfer your Unpaid-Contract/Inheritance or your late relation's funds to you in your country of residence which was tagged(UNICEF CHILDREN'S CLOTHS).
The funds total US$2.5 Million and you were made the beneficiary of these funds by a benefactor whose details will be revealed to you after handing over the funds to you in accordance with the Agreement I signed with the benefactor when she enlisted my assistance in delivering the funds to you.Before I commenced delivery of the funds please you re-confirm.
Your Full Name:____
Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code P.O.BOX) :____
Name of City of Residence:____
Direct Telephone Number:____
Mobile Number:___
Occupation:___
This is to ensure that I am dealing with the right person.
Send the requested information to the below.address: (jessica.brown420@hotmail.com).
Finally before delivery of your Parcel/Consignment will be delivered to you in your country of origin we must get a(Clearance Of Certificate)from the customs in my country because this Certificate Of Clearance is very very important it will prevent the Customs/immigration at your airport from searching or touching the Parcel/Consignment,before delivery will commence.
Yours in service,
Mrs.Jessica Brown.
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