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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "David Mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <inter_agency1@yahoo.es>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 09:39:42 -0600
Subject: Good News
Attn:Beneficiary
Your Contract/Inheritance fund has been debated by the Senate and approved by Mr. President Dr Goodluck Jonathan and it will be sent to you through special method of Tag SWIFT CREDIT ATM CARD. ATM Card Number: (4539 7978 0214 3027) But we receive an affidavit for change of beneficiary From Jackline Becks who submitted affidavit that you are dead please reconfirm your, detail avoid wrong delivery. as soon as we receive your reply you will be contacted by SCARLET DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY COMPANY
1. Your full Names.
2. Your Phone and fax number.
3. Your Delivery address {where you want the ATM card to be sent to}.
4. Your Occupation and Job Title.
5. Your Age & Sex.
6. Your Next of Kin.
Finally note that you are receiving this email message as a result of United Nation Organization including your name among the list of beneficiaries for the above Inheritance fund, do respond with the above directive immediately in order to successfully receive your fund within a timely period.
Regards
David Mark
Senate president of Nigeria 7Th & 8Th Senate
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Anti-fraud resources:
