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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)
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "fedex_express_service@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "fedex_express_service@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Adams David" <lonilions@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: fedex_express_service@w.cn
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 01:54:36 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT THE FEDEX EXPRESS FOR YOUR FUND
Fedex Express Service
Cotonou- Republic Du Benin
E-mail:-(fedex_express_service@w.cn)
Tel +229 9391 3084/ +229 +229 99 780384
Dear Friend,
How are you today?
The manager of MY Bank of Africa told me that before the check will get to you
that it will expire. So I told him to cash that compensation of $1.5M USD for
you, The FEDEX EXPRESS don't know the content of the Box. I register it as a Box of PRECIOUS VALUABLE tag no:0057624.so now contact Fedex with below information for them to deliver your consignment to you.
CONTACT PERSON:DR.WILLIAM ANTHONY
Email:(fedex_express_service@w.cn)
+229 99 780384
Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you. I register
it as a Box of PRECIOUS VALUABLE tag no:0057624. So when contacting them please
include this tag no for them to notify you.
Name._____________________________Address.__________________________Phone.____________________________Your
country.______________________
My Best Regards
THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU
Mr.Adams David.
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