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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:
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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. )
- "sales@aramexcourierexpress.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Arthur <uknclaimsunit@nl.rogers.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:58:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Accredited For Payment {Contact Aramex Courier Express}
British National Lottery
Unit 3B Olympic Way
Sefton Business Park Aintree
Liverpool L30 1RD
Telephone: 00447035990876
Attn: Omueti Efe Emmanuel,
Good day to you. I want to inform you that your claims have been processed. Your funds have been approved for release by the National Lottery Regulatory Board and a cheque has been issued in your name. Be informed that our Legal department has obtained and notarized your claim information from the High Court of Justice and your Certificate of Award from the UK Gaming Control Board. Your winning parcel containing your cheque worth £850,000..00 GBP and other items which include Lottery T-shirt and a Laptop has been forwarded to Aramex Courier Express for onward delivery to you. Aramex Courier Express is the only courier company registered with the British National Lottery thus they are incharge of all delivery of parcel to winners of the British National Lottery. It is important to note that services rendered by this courier company are to be paid for by you and not the Lottery Board.
You are advised to contact the Aramex Courier Express with details below to enquire on the delivery process and the delivery charges to be fulfilled before your parcel can be delivered to you. See below the contact information of the administrative officer.
Mr. Neil Bannister
International Operations Director
Aramex Courier Express
Tel : 0044 703 599 0871
0044 703 595 4628
E-mail: sales@aramexcourierexpress.com
You are advised to contact the courier service with your Full Name, Address, Telephone Number and Identification Number: {AMX-NL092-7216}. This office is requesting an adequate update from you on the proceedings between you and the courier service. If you need any assistance whatsoever, please do not hesitate to let me know. Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Frank Arthur
© Copyright 1994-2009 The National Lottery Inc.
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