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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:
- "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)
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (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: Homeland Security <officefill@ciudad.com.ar>
Reply-To: Homeland Security <homelands55@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 05:16:58 -0300 (ART)
Subject: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Attention:
I am Mr. Jehu Charles Johnson…The secretary of the department of homeland security Washington DC, I am writing to you regarding on your abandoned consignment box worth 4.8 million dollars and your urgent reply is highly needed for more info on how your fund will get to your hand without any more delaying.
You will have to re-confirm your full information which will be used to deliver your consignment box:
Full Names:
Your Complete Address:
Scan copy of your personal identification:
Direct Telephone Number:
Mobile Number: Present Occupation:
I wait for your urgent and positive respond.
Best Regard
Mr. Jehu Charles Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
