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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:
- "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)
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- +22998486853 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- globexpresscourier@hotmail.fr (Hotmail, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Henry John" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <globexpresscourier@hotmail.fr>
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:31:04 +0100
Subject: CONTACT GLOBAL EXPRESS FOR DELIVERY OF YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX
Dear Friend,
I have been waiting for you since then to come down here and pick your outstanding payment left but I did not hear from you since that time as we fixed.Then I went and deposited the $4.700 000.00 (Four million,seven hundred thousand) US Dollars. I lodged the funds inside a Copper box as Consignment with GLOBAL EXPRESS SERVICE COURIER COMPANY in Benin Republic because I travelled to China to visit my friend for the Company's Annual Board meeting.
I will not come back till next month end. Please note that I did not disclose to the Courier that the content of the Consignment box is cash money, instead I registered the Consignment Box as containing some pieces of Art work, this was for security reason and to ensure that the Consigned fund reached you safely. I want You to contact the GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE COMPANY to know when they will deliver your package(fund).
I have paid for the delivering charges except the keeping fee which they said it can only be paid when the Deposits is ready for shipment to the Receiver nominated address. So be advised to contact the Courier Director through this below details and reconfirm to him the information and address where to send the Package to you.
CONTACT; DR. ENG. PHIL EBOSON (MANAGER)
MANAGER GLOBAL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY)
CONTACT PHONE +229-9848-6853
E-mail: ( globexpresscourier@hotmail.fr )
Please reconfirm below information to the company.
Your Full Name: ========
Your Address: ==========
Home telephone: ========
Cell phone: ============
Your picture: ==========
Let me know as soon as you received the consignment (fund) so that I will be sure you received the total(USD4.7M)
Best Wishes,
Mr. Henry John.
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