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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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "steveunash@ups.com" <steveunash@ups.com>
Reply-To: steveunash@post.com
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:54:30 -0500
Subject: Call me 734-757-4799
Hello!
Unfortunately we failed to deliver your certified cheque of $500,000 USD
in time because the recipient's address is erroneous.i am sorry to
encroach into your privacy through this manner; we have a certified cheque
of $500,000 USD in our custody that belongs to you. We wait your response
soonest with below information to the Courier Company:
Your Full Name:
Postal address:
Direct telephone number:
bear in mind that the tracking number of your parcel will be given to you
immediately we receive an urgent response from you today .also you are
advised to find out the cost of the Insurance charge in other to send the
payment to our head office in Michigan.
Sincerely,
Mr Steve Unash
Tel:(734) 757-4799
2295Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
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Anti-fraud resources:
