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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: Welams Good <goodwelams040@gmail.com>
Reply-To: goodwelams161@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2023 22:20:50 -0700
Subject: URGENT RESPOND
--
I have very vital information to give to you, but first I must have
your trust before I review it because it may cause me my job, so I
need somebody that I can trust for me to be able to review the secret
to you.
I am Welams Good ., a senior officer at Chicago O'Hare International
Airport (USA) I have contacted you regarding an abandoned diplomatic
consignment box from Benin and the x-ray scan report box revealed some
US dollar bill in it which could be approximately 16.5 Million 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.
YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR HOME ADDRESS:
OCCUPATION:
YOUR HOME/MOBILE TEL NUMBER:
NEAREST AIRPORT CLOSE TO YOU:
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 Airport
clearance fee of 3,800 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 detail 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 send your details by clicking reply a I will give you a call
after my confirmation.
Your sincerely
Agent Welams Good..
URGENT REPLY NEEDED
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