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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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 ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- "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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348028392779 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:18:07 +0100 (CET)
Subject: PENDING PACKAGE
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FedEx Dispatching Officer/Logistic Director
TEL: +234-802-839-2779
Email Address: fedex@mighty.co.za
Attention:
We Received a package here in our office to be dispatched to you, by
Mr David White.
We formally inform you to provide us with your current new postal Address
to reconfirm by our dispatching crew so as
to enhance quick delivery to you, confirmation of the Address is being
certified in our DATA-BASE.
Name:
Address:
Country:
Tel:
Certified Bank Draft of Eight Hundred Thousand United State Dollars
($800,000.00) issued by Mr David White.
Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee, has been paid by the
Depositor, the only fee you will pay to the
FedEx Delivery office is ($220.00 USD) Dollars only for the Security
Keeping Fee of the Delivery Company.Some
charges including the VAT have been paid except security keeping fee
which is to be paid by you.
You are advise to adhere to the rules and regulation of the FedEx delivery
office to effect delivery of your
Package. Make sure to give me a call when contacting me. Send all replies
to the below address. ASAP.
Yours Faithfully,
Michael Johnson.
FedEx Dispatching Officer/Logistic Director
TEL: +234-802-839-2779
Email Address: fedex@mighty.co.za
Anti-fraud resources:
