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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 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)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- johnsonalkins40@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Gina Thompson" <ltd@pdfreview.com.heliumballoons.co.nz>
Reply-To: ginathompsson@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2020 11:16:31 +0000
Subject: (DIPLOMAT AGENT IS STRANDED AT YOUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT )
From: Mrs. Gina Thompson
For Management
London, United Kingdom
(DIPLOMAT AGENT IS STRANDED AT YOUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT )
Please Your Urgent Attention Is Needed,
We wish to inform you that the diplomatic agent conveying the
consignment box valued the sum of $2.5 Million USD misplaced your
address and he is currently stranded at your international airport right
now. We required you reconfirm the following information's below so that
he can deliver your consignment box to you today,
Full Name: ============
Current Address: ==============
Mobile No.:===================
Name of Your Nearest Airport:==============
A Copy of Your Passport/Driver's License, for Identification(If
available):==========
Please do contact the diplomatic agent through his email below with the
information's required Contact Person : Agent Johnson Alkins EMAIL:
johnsonalkins40@gmail.com
He is waiting to hear from you today with the information. For security
reason read below:
I did not let the delivery Agent knows that your consignment box
contains the above-mentioned amount of United States Dollars and on No
circumstances should you let him know the content is $2.5 Million United
States Dollars (CASH). The consignment was moved from here as family
treasures, so never allow him to open the box until it gets to your
base. This is for security reason.
Just supply the above requirement info and also use this CODE as a
subject matter to him:-CONSIGNMENT CODE:/CAF/XXX/20.
Regards
Mrs. Gina Thompson
United Nations Swiss-UK Financial Commission
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Anti-fraud resources: