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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 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 united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned 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.
- dip.mr.godwinbeckcampbell@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: George Kobra <info_banqueinternationabenin@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: George Kobra <dip.mr.godwinbeckcampbell@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:22:35 +0100 (BST)
Subject: OUR DIPLOMATIC AGENT HAS MISPLACED YOUR INFORMATION
Attn: Beneficiary
OUR DIPLOMATIC AGENT HAS MISPLACED YOUR INFORMATION
We wish to inform you that the Diplomatic Agent conveying the
consignment box valued the sum of $1.8 Million United States Dollars
misplaced all your information with him and he is currently stranded at
Albany International Airport now in New York, USA. We require your
urgent action and officially urge you to reconfirm the following
information below so that he will deliver your consignment box to you
immediately.
Your full Name:………….
Home address:…………..
Your direct Tel & Fax Number:......................
Name of your nearest Air Port :…………......................
A copy of your identification:......................
Please do contact the Diplomatic Agent with the email below with the
information required. Name; Mr. Godwin Beck Campbell (Diplomat Afloat
Officer) E-mail (dip.mr.godwinbeckcampbell@hotmail.com) He is waiting to hear from you today with the information.
Note once again: The Diplomatic agent does not know that the content of
the consignment box is $1.8 Millions United States Dollars and on no
circumstances should you let him know the content. The consignment was
moved from here as family treasures, so never allow him to open the box.
With Best Regards,
Thanks once again for your foreign co-operation,
Chief Mr. George Kobra
Director FedEx Express Delivery Company,
Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
