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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "million us 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)
- 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.
- mrandee@deliveryman.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ecobank Ghana." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrken7@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 00:13:43 -0000
Subject: ATM CARD.
ECOBANK GHANA LTD
Attn, Sir,
This is to inform you about the Good news on your payment.
Mr. Andee Semite From Global Delivering Company called our bank now, said that he has arrived Now.
Contact him know when he will come to deliver your ATM CARD to you.
You know the amount in your ATM CARD is ($ One Million us dollars) per day you will withdraw $1,500 us$ dollars per day.
This is your ATM card pin code (6281) don't give it to him is for you.
Note that we have already paid for the delivery charges.
The called us now said the only money you will pay them is security keeping fee only $165. For keeping your ATM CARD in there company.
Your card is registered. You will withdraw your money in any ATM MACHINE around the globe. Send your full contact information such as follows to him.
1. YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT HIM TO DELIVER YOUR ATM CARD 3. PHONE NUMBER SO HE WILL CALL YOU. Send it to Global Delivering Company. Mr. Andee Semite, Delivery man His Email is mrandee@deliveryman.com
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
Mr. Ken Nana.
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