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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:
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomat_frank@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Administrator <rev_richard@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomat_frank@live.com
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:53:44 +0400
Subject: Attn Beneficiary
Attn Beneficiary
Please send the diplomat who is stranded at Airport your address where to make your delivery. His name is frank Ugo and he arrived at your Airport three days ago with your package and he'll need to proceed to your address. Please Reconfirm to him the below informations to avoid mistake.
Your Phone number:......
Your Full Names:........
Your House Address:......
All identities that will help him for smooth delivery. The bellow is his contact. Don't let him know the content because it contains 2.5 million U.S.A Dollars.
Email (diplomat_frank@live.com)
Rev. Richard
DHL DIRECTOR
Tel:+22999623049
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Anti-fraud resources:
