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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a 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: "MR. PAUL WILSON" <informationcustoms@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mr.paulwilson@wss-id.org
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:51:18 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: FROM DIPLOMAT MR. PAUL WILSON
Hello my name is Paul Wilson a diplomat from CBN Bank Nigeria
I instructed by Mr. John Walker to come and deliver your ATM Visa Card to you
so I just arrive to the united states this morning I will like you to contact
me with this number +15412305066 so that we can talk because I don’t think I
will have a time again to check my e-mail the united state custom are demanding
for fund release order certificate so please call me so that I will let you
know how to send the certificate
Â
I am waiting to here from you as soon as you receive this
mail thanks and best regard
Â
Mr. Paul Wilson
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Anti-fraud resources:
