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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- airportfile1@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <airportfile1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:06:14 -0700
Subject: {疑似垃圾邮件} FOR
FedEx Nigeria Office
70 International Airport Road,
Mafoluku, Lagos Nigeria.
Good day
This mail is to inform you of your registered package CONTENT: ATM Card worth US$950,000.00 registered by an official of the United Nations. The Fund is a donation to you from the U.N through e-mails balloting in affiliation with the commonwealth poverty eradication program.
The Pin code and instructions on how to use the card is inside the package with the ATM Card and you can make withdrawal in any location of the ATM machine of your choice/nearest to you anywhere in your country.
Please note: The VAT and COD has been paid and the only money you will have to pay is the security keeping fee of $150 only must be paid before shipment.
You are hereby requested to forward below details to FedEx Delivery Department Mr.Henry Dan, with this email (airportfile1@gmail.com) for shipment of the package to you.
1. Your Full Name
2. Your Mobile Phone Number
3. Your Contact Address
Ensure to contact FedEx Delivery Department Mr.Henry Dan, as soon as possible.
Regards
Henry Daniel.
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Anti-fraud resources:
