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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- michellekareem@deliveryman.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "michellekareem@deliveryman.com" <"www."@trad.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "michellekareem@deliveryman.com" <michellekareem@deliveryman.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2017 01:16:56 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Call me or text (909) 589-6703
Hello, Dear, This is Mr Michell Karrem. Ecowas Diplomatic Agent from Benin West Africa. I was Instructed by the Ecowas Executive member of Committee to deliver this fund to you. The sum of $4.5 Million U.S.D as your Compensation Fund. am in San Diego International Airport California United States now with the Brief case. Your Total Fund of $4.5 is here right with me.
So i want you to Reconfirm your delivery information for immediate delivery of your Consignment box. and send $68 for Custom Clearance papers which will come from the origin of your fund which is Benin for Custom Clearance of your Consignment box. I want you to send it now with this Below information. Receivers name. Paul Chika. Country Benin. City Porto-novo. amount$68.
Once you send it. The Custom papers will fax to me here and i will Clear your Consignment box and deliver it direct to you, Thanks Email: ( michellekareem@deliveryman.com ) Call me or text (909) 589-6703
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