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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:
- "demurrage " (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. )
- "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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Alejandro Daniel MG-H <pic_ng90@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: alejandrodanielmgh@yahoo.cl
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:51:13 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Details / Confirm Receipt
Bitelco Diebold Chile Limitada
Av. Zañartu 2075, Ñuñoa
Santiago - Chile
+56 2 620 2500
+56 2 620 2560
Â
Sir,
I am the store keeper of the above mention company in this
nation and would like to partner with you in a very short time business; a
client that shares the same name with you deposited consignment in this company
on the 15th of July 2002 and for the past five years he abandoned the consignment
because depositors are meant to clear demurrage every quarter of the year. Who
knows if he is still alive because it is very rear for a depositor to abandon
such precious luggage over five years? I have the certificate of deposit in my
hands as the store keeper and I can make copy of the certificate available to
you as prove of ownership since you share the same name with the depositor.
Â
The consignment contains approximately nine hundred and
sixty eight thousand pounds sterling 968,000.00 GPB, The cost of delivery from
this security company is only paid when diplomat get to the receiver’s destination
which means you will pay directly to the diplomat when meeting with him in your
home town. Our sharing is negotiable and we can contribute money to clear the
demurrage. My information is attached to this message for your view and more
details shall be confirmed to you if only you are positive to handle this
opportunity accordingly.
Â
With much regards,
Alejandro Daniel MG-H
Â
Â
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Anti-fraud resources:
