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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY COMPANY" <d_maticservise11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: d_maticservise@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:00:08 +0100 (BST)
Subject: VERY URGENT
>From Mr.John Mike.
We wish to inform you that the Diplomatic Agent conveying the consignment
box valued the sum of $15 Million United States Dollars misplaced your
address and he is currently stranded at your International airport now.We
required you reconfirm the following information below so that he can
deliver your consignment box to you today.
The Diplomatic Agent does not know that the content of the consignment box
is $15 Million United States Dollars and on no circumstances should you
let him know the content. The consignment was moved from here as family
treasures, so never allow him to open the box no matter the condition or
any situation.
Get Back to me with your full personal information's for the delivery of
your consignment.
Name: ....
Home/Office Address: ..
Mobile Number.: .......
Name of Your Nearest Airport: ..
A Copy of Your Identification: ..
You must be very fast about what so ever you are doing because,the young
man is over there in your country and he is stranded at the moment and we
expect you to follow up immediately,so that he will deliver your
comsignment and fly back to his destination to face his responsibilities
as a man.
Fill free to contact our office immediately you confirm this email for
more directive for there is no much time to delay and note, that your
success is very important.
Thanks,
Mr.John Mike.
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Anti-fraud resources:
