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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "FUND RECONCILIATION DEPARTMENT ,AFRICA." <WWW.@aroma.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: OVERDUE PAYMENT <diplomat_sadiqali@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:27:35 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your ATM CARD IS READY FOR DELIVERY.
Hello.
This is to notify you that your long awaited funds are now available and ready to be delivered to you via ATM Card, direct to your home address by our assigned diplomat in the person of Sadid Ali (Diplomat).
Kindly reconfirm the below details to him for easy and safe delivery of your ATM CARD worth 5.5 million United States Dollars.
1) Name as written on your Identification card.:
2) Address as to where your ATM card will be delivered
3) Phone Number to establish contact with the diplomat once he arrives at your nearest airport.
Please, you are requested to forward this details as soon as possible, so as not to keep the diplomat waiting,
Thanks.
H. Simon.
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Anti-fraud resources:
