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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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lucashood075@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Lucas Hood <diplomat.nadinecotto@gmail.com>
Reply-To: lucashood075@outlook.com
Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2022 02:32:27 +0300
Subject: I AM HERE AT THE AIRPORT WITH YOUR ATM CARD
Dear Friend
I'm Mr Lucas Hood your new diplomatic agent, I was assigned to
deliver your ATM CARD to you from United Nation Covid-19 Relief funds
and i have been trying to reach you on your number about couple of
hours now, just to inform you about my successful arrival at our Cargo
Inspection unit in O'Hare International Airport Chicago USA with your ATM
VISA CARD worth $2.5 million USD which I have been instructed by DHL
COURIER COMPANY to be delivered to your home address as the
Beneficiary. Kindly Reconfirm your full delivery information’s such
as,
Your full name...
Current home address...
Nearest Airport...
Current phone numbers...
Occupation...
Age...
copy of your ID:
Regard’s
Mr Lucas Hood
Text/Call: +1(708) 321-8134
E-mail:lucashood075@outlook.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
