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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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- deliverycompany021@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DIPLOMAT BRUNO <"WWW."@crocus.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: DIPLOMAT BRUNO <deliverycompany021@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2018 10:39:16 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Contact Your Diplomatic agent now on +1 (469) 614-0475
Urgent Attention
Hello! this is George Williams from Dhl Courier Company Benin Republic' we are writing to keep you posted about the successful arrival of our international diplomatic agent (CHARLES BRUNO) at Fort Worth Int'l airport Dallas Texas USA with your consignment box which contained your long awaited funds, valued sum of ($3.5million) which serves as a compensation from Ecowas High Court of Justice in conjunction with the United Nations
Kindly call or text the agent on his direct telephone number below for more directions on how to commence on the next proceeding to your nearest airport today and make sure you reconfirm your current delivery information as requested below for the smooth delivery of your package
Agent name....Charles Bruno
Phone number....+1 (469) 614-0475
Email address...(deliverycompany021@gmail.com)
Fill in the below details as requested
(1) Beneficiary Name.......
(2) Country................
(3) City..................
(4) Address...............
(5) Telephone ............
(6) Age...................
(6) Sex...................
(7) Nearest airport ............
(8) I.D C Copy............
Thanks for adhering to this instruction
Reply accordingly for more directives
Yours in service
Dr. George Williams
Phone....+22999757638
Email....(deliverycompany021@gmail.com)
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