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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- customerservice.egcs@post.com (Post; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- name: excel global courier service email: customerservice.egcs@post.com, or customerservice.egcs@gmail.com best regards, contact (Post; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: MRS JUTTA IRENE MARGARETA HENRICHSEN <beju@iway.na>
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 23:39:17 +0100
Subject: YOUR PARCEL IS READY FOR DELIVERY TO YOU.
Dear friend,
Your package from Mrs. Gabriela Birgit is ready for shipment to you; reconfirm your information by sending your full name, contact address and phone number to our customer service department for immediate shipment.
Company Name: Excel Global Courier Service
Email: customerservice.egcs@post.com, OR customerservice.egcs@gmail.com
Best regards,
Contact Person: Mr. Jackson Bur
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Anti-fraud resources:
