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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:
- "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)
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cheque " (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. )
- "fedexservice@voila.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- +22998981404 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Joe Frank" <accounalert@aol.com>
Reply-To: fedexservice@voila.fr
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:45:29 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: CONTACT FEDEX DELIVERY COMPANY FOR YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX
Hello My Dear,
My Name is Mr Joe Frank Secretary to Mrs Janet Sunset I have Paid the fee
for your Cheque Draft.but the manager of Eco Bank Benin told me that
before the check will get to you that it will expire.So i told him to cash
$800,000.00 all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $800,000.00 in
cash was made with FEDEX COURIER COMPANY.
This is the information they need to delivery your package to you.
ATTN: Edward Lyyn (Director)
EMAIL:fedexservice@voila.fr
TEL PHONE +229 98981404
Please, Send them your contacts information to able them locate you
immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they
need from you.
1.YOUR FULL NAME............
2.YOUR COUNTRY...........
3.YOUR HOME ADDRESS..............
4.YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.........
5.YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE..........
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE............
Please make sure you send this needed infomation to the Director FEDEX
COURIER COMPANY. Edward Lyyn (Director) with the address given to
you.Note. FEDEX COURIER COMPANY. don't know the contents of the Box.i
register it as 1 Box Sensitive Photographic Film Material They don't know
it contents money. this is to avoid them delaying with the Box.
the Deposit details:
Deposit Number: PLCC-101-PL45
Sort/Clearance Code: PLC/101-45/P50
Deposit Certificate N0.: 405576
Consignment Description: 1 Box Sensitive Photographic Film Material
Depositor: Mr.Joe Frank
I wait to hear from you.
Regards,
Mr.Joe Frank.
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