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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 us 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- 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.
- dhl-deliveryservice2011@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Jules Ghislain Slama" <jules@mecanica.ufrj.br>
Reply-To: dhl-deliveryservice2011@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:53:11 -0200
Subject: ..
Attn:Dear Beneficiary
I am Mrs.Rose Dempsey Engineer. I have cashed your draft/cheque in worth of
$6.5 Million Us Dollars for your overdue payments, due to the expiry date
in the cheque I boxed the money and deposited it for shipment with
International D.H.L Company Nigeria (DHL Express COMPANY LTD), so to
deliver the box to you and to avoid another hoax as you were disappointed
in the past.
So you're required to contact the World DHL Courier Company Nigeria (DHL)
with your delivery address and your direct telephone numbers so that they
will commence immediately with the delivery of your box to your nominated
address. Bellow is their contact-Contact Person. Pastor Godwin Benson.
Director dhl Courier Company Nigeria (DHL).
Customers care email:(dhl-deliveryservice2011@hotmail.com)
Tel:+ 234 706 542 7038
Try to indicate all this CODES to them because it will prove that you are
the rightful person that own the Consignment Box deposited in their
custody.
SHIPMENT CODE WBAT 33X8U,
PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO 58TGQ42.
SECURITY CODE SCTC/205874G/567
TRANSACTION CODE 233/CSTC/101/3398574
CERTIFICATE DEPOSIT CODE; SBGC/584YBv/-78/9TG
Note;The dhl Courier Company Nigeria (DHL) don't know the contents of the
Box. I registered it as a Box of 'Scientific apparatus'. They don't know the
true content $6.5 Million. This is to avoid them from delaying with the Box.
Don't disclose the content of the Box. Please make sure you send this needed
information to the Director of dhl Company Nigeria Ltd (DHL) Mr.Perry Smith
with the e-mail address given to you.
So contact dhl Company Nigeria Ltd (D.H.L.) today and try to contact them
with your personal information as listed bellow;
Full Name.....................
Home address...............
Current Phone number.............
Country.................
Passport.............
Occupation................
Sex..................
Age.................
Best Regards,
Mrs. Rose Dempsey
United Nations Ambassador.
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