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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.
- 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.
- togodhlcourier@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Jennifer Carlos <martinwilliam893@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jenifercarlos51@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2020 12:05:15 +0000
Subject: Atm Visa - Card Received
Dear lucky beneficiary, this is to inform you that there is (ATM
VISA-CARD) which I received here in my office on 20th of February
2020. Your e-mail address was attached on it and is to be posted to
you.Please contact the DHL Office immediately for the delivery of your
(ATM VISA-CARD) to your home address ok,
Mr. Williams Edward
Customer's Care Officer
DHL Courier Express Company Lome-Togo
Email: togodhlcourier@gmail.com
We received a parcel that contains your ATM VISA-CARD valued the total
sum of (US $350.000.00) For the result of 2020 lottery winning and
compensation you are listed and approved for this payment as one of
the lucky beneficiary to be paid this amount and it has been signed by
the United Nations Board of Directors and Trustees from the WORLD BANK
ASSISTED PROGRAMMED.
Sincerely, Jennifer Carlos
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Anti-fraud resources:
