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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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane" <officefile201120@gmail.com>
Reply-To: i.c.b@qatar.io
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:18:40 -0400
Subject: A Cashier Check for your Inharritage/Contract payment
African Consulate General
SSN: 288-31-9545
13787 Dunn Road
Autryville, NC
A Cashier Check for your Inharritage/Contract payment
This is to inform you that a parcel in you names which contains Cashier Check
for your Inharritage/Contract payment was return to us in this office.
We have been waiting for along time for you to contact us regarding this
parcel which supposedly to be delivered to you by COURIER SERVICE which was
stooped and delayed because of illegal coverage paper that should be obtain
from the country of origin where the parcel was came.
You are advise right now to contact Cliff Hush below, for the instruction on
how you can receive the parcel to avoid any problem.
The African Consulate General in North Carolina
Attention: Home Affairs Section
Name: Cliff Hush.
Email: ( cliffhush0@msn.com )
We have concluded after the inquiries with attorney that the parcel will be
deliver to your home possible today, immediately you reply with the
reconfirmation of your address with your telephone number for easier
communication.
Therefore, we urgently advise you to comply to enable us finalize the delivery.
Sincerely Yours,
Mrs.Brandy John.
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Anti-fraud resources:
