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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "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)
- "the diplomat " ("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: Judith Reed <oketankwegu@gmail.com>
Reply-To: judithreed130@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:35:27 -0700
Subject: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) New York
I am Judith Reed, a senior officer at John F. Kennedy International
Airport (JFK) New York here in the USA. I'm contacting you regarding an
abandoned diplomatic consignment box and the x-ray scan report box revealed
some US dollar bill in it which could be approximately $24.5Million dollars
and the official paper of the box indicates your contact details. To
confirm you as the authentic beneficiary and also for security Purposes, do
send me your full information for cross-checking of your details with the
information stated in the office.
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
Your Full Name: _
Your Country: __
Your Direct Telephone Numbers: _
Your Current Home Address: _
Your Age: ___
Your Email Address: __
Photo of Valid i'd___
For your information, the box was abandoned by the diplomat who was on
transit to your city because he was not able to pay the (JFK) clearance fee
of $2,200 dollars. I have taken it upon myself to contact you personally
about this abandoned box so that we can transact this as a deal and share
the total money 70% for you and 30% for me. As soon as I get the requested
details from you for verification. I will pay the clearance fee and make
arrangements for the box to be delivered to you which can be concluded
within 4-6 hours after confirmation is made and upon your acceptance and
willingness to co-operate. All communication must be held extremely
confidential to ensure a successful delivery. Kindly click reply and get
your correct and valid details to me as soon as you get this email.
I will text you after my confirmation.
Sincerely
Judith Reed
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