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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "demurrage fee" (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "demurrage " (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- 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.
- davidmorgan_fedinland@indiatimes.com
Fraud email example:
From: "VERONICA PARKER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fed_inlandsecurity100@live.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:57:53 -0700
Subject: CONTACT: DAVID MORGAN, MANAGER FEDERAL INLAND SECURITY COMPANY.
Dear Friend,
After waiting and no response was heard, I deposited your $500.000.00 US Dollars, as consignment with the FEDERAL INLAND SECURITY COMPANY because I had to travel to SPAIN to visit my friend and I will not come back till December, 2009.
Contact the FEDERAL INLAND SECURITY COMPANY immediately to have them release your consignment and have it delivered to you through a diplomat working with the security company to see to the delivery of your consignment to you.
I have paid for the insurance fee; the only fee you will be paying to them is the security-keeping fee of US$350 for safe guarding your consignment since the deposition day.
You will have to contact them immediately or you would be asked to pay additional fees once you dont meet up on time.
CONTACT: DAVID MORGAN, MANAGER FEDERAL INLAND SECURITY COMPANY.
E-mail:(fed_inlandsecurity100@live.com or davidmorgan_fedinland@indiatimes.com)
Try to contact him as soon as possible to avoid increase in demurrage fee.
Reconfirm below information to the company.
Your Full Name ...................
Your Delivery Address ...............
Direct telephone number ............
Occupation ................and Country....................?????
VERONICA PARKER
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Anti-fraud resources:
