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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 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (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.
- 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.
- +447031748712 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Goss Edward" <office----pa12@att.net>
Reply-To: gossedward2@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 03:11:35 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear friend,
Dear friend,
My name is Mr. G. Edward, a senior staff and head of computing department of my bank.
I have only written to seek your urgent assistance in the shipment of investment Funds involving a huge amount of money about Three Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3.2M).
I had made a secretive arrangement in regards to the shipment of the fund with my partner from your country Philippines by name Mr Miguel Baltazar who was supposed to received the consignment last week but unfortunately I just received the sad news about his death!
All necessary arrangements have been concluded and consignment set to leave London by Air Cargo Flight via Diplomatic Delivery Agent.
Note carefully the content of the crate is \"MONEY U.S Dollar $3.2 Million Cash\" but I did not disclose it to the Courier Services as Money, rather I informed them that the crate contain Vital \"DOCUMENTS AND EXPENSIVE ART WORK\" belonging to my client.
I am proposing to have you receive the consignment. I propose an offer of 30% of the $3.2M for job well done, and also ask for investment partnership with you.
Please send me your phone number and full name to enable me reach you. I can be reached on telephone number: +447031748712
Best regards
Goss Edward
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