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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- 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.
- fexpressservices@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Julia <juliabelluna39@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: Julia <fexpressservices@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 16:58:14 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT of $4.8Million Dollars
Dear Friend.
This is to inform you that your ATM Card payment of $4.8Million Dollars has finally been approved by the Federal High Court of Justice here in Nigeria today, the Atm card was programmed to be giving you US$10, 000, 00 limit withdrawal in every 24hours. Therefore we have deposited the ATM Card with FEDEX EXPRESS here in Nigeria for immediate delivery to you over there in your Country, you are now advice to contact the FEDEX EXPRESS with your mailing information as listed below to enable them to locate you and deliver the ATM Card to you.
Please send them the following information;
1. Your full name........
2. Your Address where you will like it to be sent.....
3. Phone Number......
4. Your age......
COMPANY NAME: FEDEX EXPRESS.
PERSON TO CONATCT: JOHN WELLS
EmaiL: fexpressservices@gmail.com
EmaiL: fexpressservices@gmail.com
Please make sure you contact them upon receipt of this email to enable them deliver the ATM Card to you.
Do have a blessed day,
Julia
Director(ATM Payment unit)
Apex Bank PLC (Nig)
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