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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:
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Jeff" <sales1@pwi.com.pk>
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2018 01:14:21 -0600
Subject: UNITED NATIONS 2017/2018 COMPENSATION PAYMENT
UNITED NATIONS 2017/2018
COMPENSATION PAYMENT VIA
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES
EMAIL: jeffmartins_unitednationsoffice@comtube.com
DATE: 02/07/2018
I am Diplomat Jeff Martins with the United Nations Payment office,i have the
mandate to deliver your consignment fund which has the approved compensation
fund of $5 Million USD. In view of this letter i want you to reconfirm the
following details to
ensure its validity for the delivery of the payment:
Your Full Name:
Your Contact Address:
Your Cell Phone Number:
Your Driver's license or passport copy id:
Send your response to my private mail:
jeffmartins_unitednationsoffice@comtube.com
Kindly, give this letter the urgent attention it requires,i will
immediately provide you further directives on the procedure for the payment
upon the receipt of your urgent reply mail..
yours
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeff Martins
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Anti-fraud resources: