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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:
- "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)
- "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: Troy Stevens <sharonpatterson1st@gmail.com>
Reply-To: troysteven212@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2022 11:08:06 +0000
Subject: HELLO
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Hello My Dear
I am diplomat agent Mr Troy Stevens
I just arrived at Ohio airport with your Consignment box worth of
$(10.5M) From USA America Embassy compensating You as a victim of scam
and lost of money as i just landed in your country now but
misplaced your information, i will give you more details when you
reconfirm details. Your personal code is XLA21492014SD use this code
to the Diplomat Ms Lynda William so that i can know that you are the
rightful owner.
please Contact me with your delivery information such as,
Your Full Name_____
Home Address______
Nearest Airport_______
Copy of ID_________
Your phone Number_______
Your Age__________
CALL OR TEXT ME NOW
God bless you
Best Regards,
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Anti-fraud resources:
