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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "courier company" (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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Juan Alves <jalves22015@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:29:55 +0000
Subject: DHL delivering your Atm Debit Card.
Dear Customer!!!
DHL Courier Company Nigeria (Hqts.) wish to inform you that your package (US$1.3 in ATM DEBIT CARD) with registration CODE #( RRRRRFSC1133 ) is now ready for delivery to you as authorized by the depositor of your package Ms. Ana María Menedez Perez (UNCC Director) to this Company and we can assure you that we are experts and will commence the delivery of your package to your doorstep as soon as you comply with our mode of delivery system. Your package is properly sealed and registered with your information and will be delivered to you within 24 hours as the depositor (The United Nations Compensation Commission) registered the package along with some vital documents required by DHL Courier Company under delivery rules and regulations to effect the delivery to your destination without any further delay.
Also we can confirm to you that we have your correct information and the delivery of your package will commence today being Monday 12th June 2017 by 2:15 pm as soon as we receive our shipping fee of $185 from you and you should know that, this measures of charging shipping fee is to always protect the package of our customers and to ensure the safety delivery to his or her destination.
According to our delivery strategy, the delivery of your package to your destination will cost you the sum of $185usd only. The shipping fee of $185 should be sent to our account officer via Western Union or Money Gram only.
REGISTRATION CODE;RRRRRFSC1133
SHIPMENT CODE AWB 33XZS,
PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO RRRRRRFSC1133
SECURITY CODE SCTC/2001DHX/567
TAG NO # DHLXX441122
BATCH NO # DHLCMPLN11144
DHL Courier Company will proceed and complete the delivery of your package within 24 hours upon the confirmation of the shipping fee, Your urgent response is needed so that we will be aware that you have received this message. We will forward the tracking number of your package once the delivery commences after receiving the shipping fee.
Feel free to call us on +234-9080640316 for any inquiries about your shipment or Email:(post.dhl287@openmailbox.org) as soon as you make the payment.
Yours Sincerely
Mr. Juan Alves;
DHL SHIPPING OFFICER
2017 DHL International.
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