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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- jackwilson679@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr.John Hanson <jc@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: jackwilson679@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 17:16:58 -0800
Subject: From:Mr.John Hanson---Diplomat Has Arrive With Your 07-03-2014
Attn: Beneficiary,
We have received receive a payment credit instruction from the (United Nation) to credit your account with your full contract Inheritance funds from the British reserve account with our bank but we can not transfer this funds direct to your nominated bank account,because we are having a little problem with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service. (Delivery)
This is to inform you that our diplomat has arrived with your cash consignment Metallic box value $5 million dollars in Ohare International Airport Chicago USA there in transit.I want you to know that you have 24 hours to contact him on the below details.
Contact Person: Mr.Jack Wilson
E-Mail: jackwilson679@gmail.com
Tel: 940-604-9378
Note,that you must call me as soon as you receive this email for more discussion, my direct line +447924566750 .Also reconfirm your full current address and valid phone number to the Diplomatic once you receive this email to enable him to deliver your cash consignment to your home without any further delay or mistake.
I appreciate your good sympathetic and collaboration, Hope hearing from you swiftly.let us know if you are still interested to get your consignment delivery to you today? as he have been waiting to hear from you.
BEST REGARDS
Mr.John Hanson.
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