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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:
- "dear friend" (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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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.
- 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.
- alfredfarmer221@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Alfred Farmer." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alfredfarmer221@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2016 16:29:21 -0700
Subject: RE: SHIPMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT AND INHERITANCE PAYMENT
RE: SHIPMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT AND INHERITANCE PAYMENT
Dear Friend,
This is to inform you that arrangements have been concluded as regards to the shipment of your total contract and inheritance payment of ($18. Million) pike in a two trunk boxes for delivery to your home address the consignment we levee en-route to your country via Heathrow International Airport United Kingdom.
We have two U.N accredited diplomats that will fly with the two trunk boxes to you in your country to deliver to your doorstep; they will call you the moment they arrive in your Airport before they fly to your home address.
Please do not disclose to the UN. Diplomats the contents of the boxes, as that might jeopardize the success of the transaction; the boxes were declared as containing diplomatic contract and inheritance documents only.
You are required to reel confirm your contact information not to delivered to a wrong address, (1) Phone Number. (2) House Address, (3) working Address and Phone Number, also a scan copy of your International Passport or any form of your I.D for proper identification.
Remember you have to keep this transaction very secret for Fear of betrayal.
Best Regards
Dr. Alfred Farmer.
Director Inheritances and Contract Payment Department.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
Phone: + 1-716-247-7966
Email: alfredfarmer221@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
