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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:
- "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: "ANDERSON J BERNARD" <scott@mindfulliving.net>
Reply-To: andersonbernard41@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2023 11:40:22 -0700
Subject: Greetings Dear 155
Greetings Dear
How are you doing today and your family? Please, I wish to inform you that your ATM card parcel has been deposited with us for shipment to your home address. Please confirm that our agent can always reach out to you on your email when he arrives at your closest Airport Or kindly get back to us with your direct cellphone and house address if possible to avoid sending to a wrong address.
In this regard, I want you to note that your ATM CARD PARCEL was only handed over to us for delivery to you and it has not been registered online because you have to pay the sum of $55 for your shipment to be fully registered online for tracking. Once the delivery fee of $55 is paid we shall then register it and send you all the details for tracking your shipment. You also have to sign once our agents convey your parcel to your home address.
You are hereby advised to get back to me as soon as possible for payment and next step as regards to your package.
Regards,
Mr. Anderson J Bernard
DEX LOGISTICS COURIER COMPANY Regional Manager, Kampala Uganda
Contact: +256-7644-19895
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Anti-fraud resources:
