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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:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "you are required to pay " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- 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.
- frankmoore555@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Frank Moore." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankmoore555@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 23:12:23 -0700
Subject: Your Package Awaits Delivery!!!
This is to bring to your notice that Mr. Maxwell, dropped a package containing the sum of $1,500,000 in our office in Nigeria for safe delivery to you. He traveled on a business assignment as informed. You are advised to contact the Airways Courier Manager with the information provided below;
Contact Person: Mr. Frank Moore
Email: frankmoore555@yahoo.com
Telephone Number: +2349090382067
Kindly provide him with the information below for confirmation;
Full Name.......
Contact Address........
Mobile Number........
Age..........
Occupation........
The benefactor already made all necessary arrangement required for delivery from the Airways delivery to you, but the only fee you are required to pay is the security keeping fee of $310 only. He did not pay this because we were not sure how soon we will be in contact with you in case of demurrage.
Note: Please be informed that your package has already been insured and awaits claim.
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