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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:
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("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: "Senator Fred." <woodhems162@gmail.com>
Reply-To: frederickiturner54@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:28:03 -0700
Subject: YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE
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Attention!!
I am Senator Frederick Idris Turner. This is very confidential as my
country Nigeria is going to the poll by this February 25th for the
general election and as a senator under the Ministry of Steel and
power, I have Thirty- Five Million Dollars ($35 Million) gotten from a
contract that has been executed and commissioned last year and I am
serving for the 2nd tenure of 8 years expiring by May 29th, 2023. I
want to invest these funds in your country.
I have arranged to move this fund through diplomatic parcel delivery
under diplomatic courier immunity coverage to your country where you
will be contacted by a diplomatic agent on his arrival to claim this
parcel. Note that I have disguised the parcel to be a personal effect
under my immunity coverage as a senator agent does not know its
original contents to be money. This transaction requires absolute
confidentiality as a top secret because no other person outside me has
an idea about these funds.
Therefore, send the following information below to process the Airway
Bill of this parcel in your name for delivery.
(1) Your country's form of identification (international passport /
Driving License copy).
(2) Your Occupation/Profession.
(3) Your private telephone/cell numbers,
(4) Full Name and address of your person.
(5) Age and Marital Status.
(6) Your closest Airport
You are entitled to a share of 30% of the above-mentioned sum and 60%
will be invested in your place. You will be the overseer and 10% will
be used to lobby for your securing these funds in your country, while
I will be with you after 3 months this fund has been delivered to your
country as I have to stay in my country Nigeria 3 months after the
handover ceremony to the new government on the 29th May 2023.
Anticipating your response for the commencement of the parcel delivery.
Best Regards,
Senator Frederick Idris T.
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