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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:
- 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)
- "million dollars" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Alejandro Mayorkas" <williamwegg4@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
--
FROM HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE !!!
I am Mr.Alejandro Mayorkas. The secretary of the Department of
US.Homeland Security Washington DC, I am writing to you regarding
your abandoned consignment box worth $4.5 million dollars which has
been approved to pay you by United Nation inconjuction with United
State of America Homeland Security .I am officially informing you that
the box consignment has been assigned and arrange to deliver to you.
So kindly reconfirm your delivery details to us such as :
Your Full name
Your full address
Your Phone number
Your nearest Airport
And a copy of your international passport or driver liences or any
identification card.
I wait for your urgent and positive respond. You can call presidency
officer MR Luke Chyben Who is the in charge of releasing the box to me
+229 57374303 or Email Alejandro Mayorkas at (
redacted@domain.name )
Best Regard
Mr.Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary of US.Homeland Security Department.
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Anti-fraud resources:
