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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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("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.
- 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.
- diplomatfredwhite@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: MR FRED WHITE <mr.phillipoduoza@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: diplomatfredwhite@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:03:21 +0800 (CST)
Subject: DIPLOMAT ARRIVE AT PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FLORIDA
I
am Mr Fred White a courier diplomatic Agent. I have a consignment
registered in your name and due to be delivered to you. I was mandated
to deliver the consignment to your doorpost and I am currently at Palm
beach international airport Florida clearing your Consignment at Custom
Check Point,so kindly reconfirm your Information below before i connect
my flight to your Nearest Airport,
Reconfirm your full information's such as
Your Full Name:
Your Address:
Your Country: USA
Your City:
Your Home Address:
Your Office Address:
Your Occupation:
Your Contact Home Phone Number:
Your
Cell Phone Number
Your Age:
Your Sex:
Your Next Of Kin:
Your Nearest Airport:
A Scan Copy of your Identity:
I wait to hear from you so as to proceed for the Delivery,forward your Details to my email below( diplomatfredwhite@yahoo.com )
MR FRED WHITE
EMAIL (diplomatfredwhite@yahoo.com)
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Anti-fraud resources: