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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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Arnold <frank.arnoldgh3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: frank.arnoldgh@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2014 15:42:17 -0700
Subject: Reply
Dear Sir
I am please to reach you in order to seek for your urgent assistance
in receiving our Consignment which is at the airport right now with
the delivery agent company. I will confidentially inform you that the
consignment contains $6.million and Small quantities of diamond which
the company is not aware but aware that it contains Royal family
valuable treasures of gold and diamonds.My sister and I safely arrived
here in the camp after our parents were murdered.I will be please to
give you more detail,if you are ready to help us.All i need is your
address so they can deliver to you.
Please understand the importance of not disclosing this revelation to
any one.We need you,having trust in your person!.
Please contact me urgently
Thank You and God bless us!
Frank
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Anti-fraud resources:
