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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:
- "diplomatic courier" ("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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Charles Colocinor <fridaykingsley50@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
--
HELLO BENEFICIARY
Your ATM Card worth the sum of $20 million USD has been approved and
was deposited
with UNITED NATION DIPLOMATIC COURIER COMPANY this morning for
registration and we agreed up that the delivery of Your $20 Million
USD ATM Package will take off tomorrow morning .So contact with your
full info where your ATM card will be delivered to,
(1) Full name
(2) Mobile Number
(3) Direct telephone number
(4) Country of origin
(5) Your Current delivery address
(6) Occupation
(7) City & Your Nearest Airport
Urgently get back to us today with your full address where your ATM card
will be delivered to because i will not be in the office next week:
The amount in your Card is $20 Million and your Pin code is: (0085).
Best Regards
Mr. Charles Colocinor
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Anti-fraud resources: