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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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Mike Kelly" <"www."@apricot.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Dr.Mike Kelly" <drmikekelly21@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2017 07:43:59 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Call or SMS me now +14085029482
HELLO Beneficiary my name is Dr. Mike Kelly your diplomatic agent,,How are you doing together with your family, am writing to know if is true because Mrs. Deborah Trotter your friend call and text me right now she stated that you have motor accident on your way going to work right now and you are in hospital and she mentioned that you told her that am here in airport to delivery your
consignment box and you want me to deliver it to her as your next of kin
and your attorney. She call me and tell me that she is capable to pay the $55usd which is the only fee for the delivery on behalf of you.
You have to call or SMS me right now because she have email Federal
High Court Benin and the new president of Benin republic for them to give her all information she need to use
travel down to Benin Republic and pay all the fee and have me
deliver your consignment box to her Address.
Please confirm to me if she is wrong or is true because Federal
Government Benin Republic stated that you have 24hours to proof her
wrong before they will give final order to deliver your stuff to her
name.
Call or SMS me now +14085029482
Best Regard
Diplomat Mike Kelly
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