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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)
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.JOHN BEN" <barbaraminer@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: fedex_courriercd77@live.com
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 05:26:37 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT.
ATTENTION DEAR,
I have paid the fee for the consignment box. All the necessary arrangement of delivering your $2.500,000.00 In cash was made with FEDEX COURIER COMPANY.CONTACT Dr. Victor Frank
EMAIL:(fedex_courriercd77@live.com)Send them your contacts info to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX.
YOUR NAME:.................
HOME ADDRESS;............
PHONE:.................
COUNTRY:.............
SEX:...............
AND YOUR ID;.....
Note: The FEDEX courier company don't know the contents of the Box.I register it as a Box of PRECIOUS VALUABLE tags no:0047622 THANK YOU.
Best Regard
MR.JOHN BEN
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Anti-fraud resources:
