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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:
- "required fee " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: steve shawn <softworkobiorah@gmail.com>
Reply-To: steveshawn2345@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 17 May 2022 14:53:57 -0700
Subject: Urgent Attention
--
I want to inform you today during the
(IRS Internal Revenue Service & IMF International Monetary Fund)
Investigation service found out that you have two Approval Overdue
Inheritance Funds such as consignment box value of $10.5 million USD
and ATM card value of $10.5 million USD from UPS courier service
company and DHL
courier service company.
The two company director team together and asked for high charges
that you cannot be able to pay for them to archive dreams of
diverting your fund to their company personal treasury account.
As lucky you're almighty God exposed all their evil plan against you.
The (IRS) Commissioner Charles Peter personally brought your
consignment box and ATM card in my office yesterday morning for
immediately safety delivery.
May glory be to almighty god for exposing their criminals act you have
to praise God for saving
this consignment box and ATM card for you which will change you and
your generation
families life to good.
I need your urgent response as soon as you read my message to enable
me know how you can receive your consignment box and ATM card at your
doorstep today
okay
Forward your full delivery address to me such as:
1) Your Name???
2) Your Home Address???
3) Your Nearest Airport Address???
4) Your Nationality???
5) Your ID Card???
6) Your Occupation???
As soon as you send me the full needed information you will receive
your consignment box and ATM card in peace!
And the delivery will only cost you $50 Google play gift card or
iTunes gift card to make everything successful and you will receive
your consignment box and the ATM card today at your doorstep as soon
as you send me the full needed information and the required fee of $50
understand?
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