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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:
- "drug clearance certificate" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- mrfrankfaphael@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske" <abf@localhost.emyl.be>
Reply-To: commissionekrerlikowske@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2016 23:39:27 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: U.S. Customs and Border Protection About your Unclaim Packages
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Federal Government Office
Indianapolis Intl Airport # 3.
Attention
This office is hereby to inform you about your pending delivery here in
United States. Which supposed to be delivered to you by Courier Delivery
agent from Africa since last year, but due to that the Consignment and
ATM card was lacking up this very important Certificate of Anti-Drug
Clearance certificate during the time of the shipment which delaying you
from receive your consignment box and the ATM card.
Hence, the Us Government has resolved the issue as your delivery would
be Immediately release and commence on the pending delivery to your
doorstep, This moment You are not going to pay any other fee after
paying the sum of $185 Dollars, as we agreed to release your agent
immediately as soon as you send the $185 across to us.
We have taken all the protocol by our hands as instruction were given by
the United States Government to allow the gentle man Your delivery agent
who has many years experience with Qualified Diplomatic Certificate for
this reason we are hereby to assure You that no further stoppages towards
this delivery until it Arrived to your door step!
I strongly suggest that if we must carry on and have this transaction
concluded for your mutual benefits, then please go ahead and send the fee
to our accountant officer receiver’s info below western union or Money
Gram money transfer office.
Receiver Name: _____ Aotum Alverado
Country: ____ United States of America
City: _______ South Bend
State:_____ Indiana
Text Question: ___what for?
Answer: _____ official
Amount Expected Usd$185.
Once you are through with the Money Transfer as instructed, kindly include
the Money Transfer payment details on receipt of the payment the required
Document that will cover the Shipment to your home will be Obtained with
your name here to immediately release your delivery agent along with your
consignment Box and ATM card to complete the Shipment.
The Us Government and set up this development after they confirmed that
you Funds are legitimate and you're advised to comply without doubt let
this mission work out for your own good. As we have been instructed
Failure to comply according to the instructions for the finally claiming
of the Funds after 7working day the Funds will be return to the origin
country as unclaimed fund.
This email address:(mrfrankfaphael@gmail.com)
Call or text him :+1 6123510654
I and Your Delivery agent are patiently waiting for your response and
compliance to allow him complete your delivery.
Signed/ Approved
Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske
A G Commissioner of U.S. Customs
And Border Protection
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