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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "UPS" <ytorres@idea.gob.ve>
Reply-To: customerservice@ups-nigeria.com
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:27:15 +0100
Subject: You Have A Parcel With UPS...Contact Us Now
27th January 2014
Attention Recipient
This email is coming to you as a constant reminder from the UPS parcel originating office concerning your pending package which has been held up in our overseas parcel custodian office. The Package contains an international confirmation Bank Draft worth $1,260,000.00 US Dollars only.
We hereby advised you to contact us with your FULL NAMES; POSTAL ADDRESS; TELEPHONE NUMBER. The information should be directed to Mr. Kenneth Olanipekun. E-mail; kennetholanipekun@ups-nigeria.com Phone +234 809 477 9047. For urgent response and assistance, please call the above telephone number as soon as you have reconfirm your delivery address.
Ms Yonda Torres
UPS Online Management Team.
All rights reserved. © UPS 1995-2014
_______________________________
This e-mail contains privileged and confidential information intended solely for the use of the addressees named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby advice to notify us immediately with E-mail; complaint@ups-nigeria.com as copying, dissemination or any use is unlawful and prohibited.
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Anti-fraud resources:
