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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:
- "good day friend" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- 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.
- dhlexpress.centre@post.com (Post; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- 14 murray st new york, ny 10007 information desk: dhlexpress.centre@post.com good day friend, we have registered your package atm card (Post; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "2016 © DHL International GmbH." <test@gk-arsenal.ru>
Reply-To: <drdavidroberts_dhl@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 17:35:47 -0500
Subject: Re: DHL Office!!!
DHL Authorized Shipping Center®
14 Murray St
New York, NY 10007
Information Desk: dhlexpress.centre@post.com
Good Day Friend,
We have registered your package Atm Card with DHL this morning
and we agreed up that the delivery of your $3.5 compensation
Box will take off tomorrow morning. You are therefore advised to
contact Dr. Robert David the Logistic Director DHL Worldwide
with your full info for delivery to your home address.
Full Name: __________________
Address: __________________
Tel: __________________
Occupation: __________________
Age: __________________
Name: Dr. Robert David
Email (drdavidroberts_dhl@aol.com)
Note: Send them the delivery charge of $180 which is for the shipment
and custom clearance certificate immediately for delivery within the
next 48hrs.
Upon receipt of your payment. You are therefore advised to fill and return
your information for easy communication. Upon receipt of your payment.
You are therefore advised to fill and return your information for easy delivery
and communication.
Thank you and kind regards,
Mr. John Uba
Information Representative
DHL Worldwide Express
2015 © DHL International GmbH. All rights reserved.
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Anti-fraud resources:
