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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)
- "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. )
- "trunk box" (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 company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "dhl.service@globomail.com" (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.TONY PETER." <alexx.willi1@sify.com>
Reply-To: dhl.service@globomail.com
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 03:45:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: YOUR PACKAGE DELIVERY BY DHL COURIER SERVER COURIER
Dear friend.
In respect of your support and hardworking in this organisation the board of e
xcutives in their last meeting has decided to reward twelve members effort wit
h the sum of USD $1,5.000.00 One Million Five Hundred thousand united state do
llars only each,right now YOUR FUND has been deposited at the D.h.l COURIER CO
MPANY here in benin republic.
1.CONTACT PERSON......MR.Darry Johnson..
2.DIRECTOR E-mail:( dhl.service@globomail.com )
3.DIRECTOR-----Phone( +2348139461405
my dear except the security keeping fee of $99.00 per day all other money and
documents regarding the delivering of your box has been handed over to the com
pany.
You have to contact the D.h.l Courier Company now for the delivery of your con
signment to avoid further delay that might attract demurrage.
Please note that D.h..l Courier Company will start calculating their demurrag
e charge of $99.00 per day so do contact them immediately, and reconfirm your
contact information to them when contacting them:
1..Your full name..............................
2..Your delivery address..................................
3.Your Home phone number...............................................
4. Your Mobile phone number..............................................
The money has been packaged and sealed with D.h.l label on Trunk Box to ensure
the safety of the content.
Consignment Description:
Type:......Diplomatic Package.
Size:......L: W: H / 04:10:13 CM.
Weight:...0.29kg.
Colour:.....Brown.
As for our agreement with the D.h.l Courier Company they promised that your co
nsignment will leave by next week as soon as you contact them and pay the secu
rity keeping fees.
Make sure your information is correct and always remember to address the box a
s church evangelism Items because the courier company does not know the reall
content of the package.
Best Regard\\\'s,
Good Luck.
From Desk Of Secretary,
Mr.TONY PETER.
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