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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:
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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. Richard Williams" <kanoe_toa@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Richard Williams" <johnpaul9380@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 18:59:14 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Call him on 772 882 7365
I write to inform you that the diplomat has arrived Orlando Int'l Airport Florida with your package. Send your address, phone numbers and
nearest airport to him today and assist him when he contact you for more direction for smooth delivery. His name is Mr. JOHN PAUL, he arrived at Orlando Int'l Airport Florida yesterday with your package and other 2
packages he has to deliver to other people at Florida. He'll need to
proceed to deliver your package immediately after his first
delivery.Contact him on the below information and you have to comply
with him to enable him have successful delivery. Remember, the only
amount approved in your name by united nation and ECOWAS is $7.2Million
U.S.D in the consignment package.
Regards
Mr. Richard Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
