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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:
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Jackson Dues <stevensdevies@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Jackson Dues <jackson.dues@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2017 16:35:36 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH
U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin
Office: Mrs. Lucy Tamlyn (Diplomat)
United States Ambassador to Benin Republic
Rue Caporal Bernard Anani-BP 2012, Cotonou Benin
Hours of Operation
Monday to Thursday:
8:00-12:30/1:30 - 5:00 P.M
Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M
Service Details Code:-
Deposit NO.: 405576
Arrival Code: CDS-101-PL16
Content: Personal Items
Service Schedule: Door Step
Hello dear
I'm here to notify you about a package that was brought to our custody here yesterday evening by a courier Agent for safe keeping and it is our duty to protect interest of every good citizen. Your package is now waiting for a confirmation from you before the final delivery to your address on the list, so be advised to stop every further communication concerning delivery of your valid atm card because we have finalized to mail your package directly to your address through ambassadorial root pending your immediate response with below mentioned information to crosscheck our list and avoid any wrongful delivery.
1. Your full name......
2. Current home address.....
3. Direct phone Number.......
4. A copy of your ID Card.....
Once you notify us with your above, we shall schedule delivery of your atm card package to your address and will call on phone for personal collection at your door step.
Kindly send your response by e-mail as soon as you read this message as I anticipate your urgent respond.
Thanks & Sincerely Yours,
Mrs. Lucy Tamlyn
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Anti-fraud resources:
