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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance permit" (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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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 delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "@diplomats.com" ("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.
- deliverydiplomats@diplomats.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "FRED JAMES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <deliverydiplomats2000@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:52:28 -0700
Subject: YOUR BARCLAYS MASTER CARD HAS ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON
I HAVE ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH YOUR MASTER CARD
Attn:
This is to officially bring to your notice that your total payment listed below has been converted to Master Card.
Contract Payment with Barclays Bank Plc US$10,700,000.00
Compensation with United States Embassy Nigeria US$1,000,000.00
United Nation Organization in conjunction with Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) has given me instruction to deliver your Master Card to by Hand.
I just arrive in Washington Dulles International Airport this morning.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority held me and requested for the International Clearance Permit that proves and clear you to be the sole authority of the said Master Card from me. This has not been secure before I left United Kingdom.
Please, kindly call me or send me an e-mail lets know how we can settle this issue from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Your full house address need to be re-confirm to enable me locate you as soon as we settle this with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Here is my cell phone number: +1 206 8553 323
Waiting urgently to hear from you
Regards
Fred James
Delivery Diplomat
U. N Diplomatic Delivery
Please, send a copy of your reply to our head office e-mail: deliverydiplomats@diplomats.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
