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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:
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- jamesw474@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.James William" <offilceoffil17@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Mr.James William" <jamesw474@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 17:14:12 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: YOUR ATM VISA CARD HAS ARRIVE SUCCESSFUL?
 FROM DHL DELIVERING COMPANY Please I will like to inform you regarding the
Delivering of your fund, the dhl company agent, he will need you to reconfirmed your
information to complete the delivery of package {ATM VIS CARD} with them, Worth’s
of$1.9 Million dollars you’re to provide them your Name, Address, Nearest Airport and
Telephone No: is due to our agreement with the DHL Delivering Company and
Noted That you have to provide them the information correctly for the smooth delivery
of your package, he is in J.F.K international airport please make sure you
take care of him and know is not American Citizen thanks.
Meanwhile you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting us
to avoid delivery to wrong person.
1-Â Your Full Name
2-Â Your Delivery Address
3- Your Contact Mobile and Cell Telephone Number
4-Â Your Occupation
5-Â Your Identification (Passport number or ID Card number)
(6) Your City===
(7) Nearest Airport ====
CALL SMSÂ (608-466-6314) OR YOU EMAIL
HIM NOW FOR YOUR FUND; Agent Name:James Williams Email
(jamesw474@yahoo.fr)
Richard Bill FROM DHL DELIVERING COMPANY
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Anti-fraud resources:
