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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:
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (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.
- 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.
- osoba_courier2@yahoo.com.my (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Johnson" <manaeme_k@yahoo.com.my>
Reply-To: osoba_courier2@yahoo.com.my
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 06:10:16 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: PLEASE CONTACT COURIER FOR YOUR CONSIGNMENT
PLEASE CONTACT COURIER FOR YOUR CONSIGNMENT
I have paid the delivery fee for the two consignment box. All the necessary arrangement of delivering your $6,500.000.00 SUD In cash was made with Osoba Courier Delivery Company. Contact Mr. P.N Martins Director of osoba courier services company. EMAIL:(osoba_courier2@yahoo.com.my)
Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your consignment box.
YOUR NAME.
HOME ADDRESS.
PHONE. COUNTRY.
SEX AND YOUR ID.
Note.THE OSOBA COURIER COMPANY: Don't know the contents of the Box.They don't know that the box contains money,I register it as a Box of PRECIOUS VALUABLE tag no:0059126. So don't reveal to them what was in the box or they will delay the box from getting to you.
GOD BLESS YOU,
Mr.Johnson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
