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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:
- "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 courier" ("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. Edward G. Oliver Sr" <ben@mvtv.co.th>
Reply-To: "Mr. Edward G. Oliver Sr" <use.office@rediffmail.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2013 13:37:20 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: DID YOU AUTHORIZED ANYBODY TO COME ON YOUR BEHALF FOR THE CLAIM OF
YOUR PACKAGE?
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Airport code: JFK
Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Agency.
Jamaica, NY 11430
DID YOU AUTHORIZED ANYBODY TO COME ON YOUR BEHALF FOR THE CLAIM OF YOUR PACKAGE?
This is to inform you that after the thorough investigation we made, we have suspended a woman who claimed that you send her to come and claim your two consignment boxes of fund, which was abandoned by unknown diplomatic courier agent here in JFK. Reason she gave to us was that you are out of town at the moment.
However, this is to inform you that with the help of the customs controller general, I have concluded the arrangement of your two consignment boxes of fund delivery and I am instructed to make sure that your boxes is delivered to you before this year runs out.
A diplomatic courier agent will bring the boxes to your address
Reconfirm to me your below details for the delivery.
Your Full Name:
Full Address:
Phone Number:
I wait to hear from you.
Thanks in working with us.
Mr. Edward G. Oliver Sr.
United State Customs Agent.
JFK Airport New York.
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Anti-fraud resources:
