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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- 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.
- jcolocinomrcharles@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "I am the head asset Recovery Programme (ARP) Atlanta International Airport." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robert_spohn90@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2014 04:39:32 -0600
Subject: 111
It is forfeited Suitcase from a secured Shipping Company traceable to Africa was brought to our facility today and When scanned it is estimated that the
suitcase contains valuable cash between $4.5 to $5 Million Dollars. The Suitcase was forfeited by the secured delivery
Company because there is a restraining order against the release since it is not properly
There is a de-congestion exercise going on here in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ( ATL ) area port
of entry. The de-congestion exercise is expected to remove all the bottlenecks causing delay of consignment clearance
at the port and open up spaces for terminal operators to drop laden consignments for customs officers to carry out
easy and fast clearance of goods. Because of space constraint we have devised strategy on managing traffic both
outside and within the port premises. All Consignments and luggage have been handed over to a secured Courier Company
to deliver straight to the beneficiary.
Your Cash Consignment has been deposited to Speedway Courier Service as Personal effect to avoid diversion. The
Courier Company does not know is cash and it is declared personal effect so that they will not divert it on transit.
This Courier Company is a UK based Company and they are the Original freight forwarder.
Please contact the Courier Company quoting your consignment serial Number; XX/20010/CL0881.
Contact Person: Mr. Charles J. Colocino.
Email: jcolocinomrcharles@gmail.com
They will request your details before they will proceed with the dispatch.
Thanks.
Mr.Robert B Spohn
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