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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "the 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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- globaldiplomaticco62@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: zonal_office@zipmail.com.br
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:18:59 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Good=20Day?=
Good Day,
Its my pleasure to inform you that your compensation fund of $800,000.00
(EIGTH HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS)certified bank draft has been
converted to cash through the help of the issuing bank as it has delayed
more than necessray and to avoid expiring,thats why Your fund was packaged
in a consignment and it will be delivered to you as a cash payment by the
diplomats .
However your consignment containing your fund has been registered as
African Fabrics with Global DIPLOMATIC Courier SERVICES for immediate
delivery of your consignment to your destination.
You are required to contact the Global diplomatic courier services here
in cotonou Benin for immediate delivery of your consignment to your
home address as they are waiting to hear from you to receive your
information where to deliver your box.You can reach them with the below
informations.
Dr YAYI BOMA
2/4 honvo jacques route
Cotonou,Benin
EMAIL;globaldiplomaticco62@yahoo.fr
Below is the consignment registration numberCON/5478/MTM/07.
You are required to include it in your mail which you will send to the
diplomatic company.If you have any identification ,you can send it as well.
As soon as you receive your consignment inform me.For your information do
not disclose the content of the box to the company as it was registered
as AFRICA FABRIC MATERIALS.THEY DID NOT KOW IT CONTAINS MONEY.SO TAKE NOTE.
Regards
Dr.Edward Usman.
Anti-fraud resources:
