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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the 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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Kent Pace <kentpace@coris.com>
Reply-To: kentpace@sina.com
Date: 05 Apr 2020 05:54:24 -0700
Subject: Urgent!! Please Read
Dear Friend,
There is something very important I need to discuss with you. I
am writing this letter in tears and fear. In tears because I
will soon depart and in fear because I don't really know if you
will do this faithfully.
I am COVID-19Â patient and the doctor has already confirmed I may
not last for the next 7 days.
I have substantial amount of money deposited in a security vault
around your country. It is in trunk boxes and once I receive
your response and see your readiness to claim the money
immediately, I will forward the needed documents and the contact
of the security vault where the consignment is deposited,
I am not asking you to give me anything but I want you to help
people that has been infected with this deadly virus with 60% of
the money and 40% should be for you and your family.
I will disclose exact amount in the boxes as soon as I
receive your response.
Regards
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Anti-fraud resources: