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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "dhl-benin01@qatar.io" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr MIKE UBA ." <mzagajec@verizon.net>
Reply-To: dhl-benin01@qatar.io
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:38:21 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONTACT DHL EXPRESS COURIER COMPANY TO RECEIVE YOUR CONSIGNMENT BOX.
Attention Beneficiary, How are you today and your family? This is to bring to your notice that We have deposited your draft of 2.8 million in DHL Courier Company Benin republic to be deliver to you and I have already paid the deposite fee which is $1250 USD, so be advised that the only fee you are going to pay to them are the delivery charge and the security keeping fee which I don’t know how much it will cost you ,when you contact them, then they will tell you what to do next. Try to contact DHL Courier Company and comply with them right now for the delivery of your consignment box. These are the contact information;
Director: Dr.Thomas Akabike Robert: DR. THOMAS AKABIKE ROBERT
Email:( dhl-benin01@qatar.io )
Telephone:+229-98-837-661.
Remember they will need your full information which are the followings:
Â
1)Your Full Name:_________________
2)Your Country:___________________
3)Your Home Address:______________
4)Your current Phone Numbers:___________
5)home Your Cell Numbers:_______________
6)Your age:_____________________________
7)Sex:__________________________________
8)Copy of your id or passport:__________Â BELOW ARE YOUR DHL SHIPMENT BOX
Shipment Code AWB 33xQT
Package Registered Code No XFT477
Security Code Sctc /5501BDHX/844
Transactions Code 0477/QSTC/117/330478/
Certificates Code SQTCF/BHDN/XXIQ/-78/00 Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director general of DHL Courier Company Dr.Thomas Akabike Robert with the address given to you.They don't know that the box contains fund this is to avoid them delaying with the Box.Don't let them know that it is money that is in the box contains.They are waiting for your urgent response ok .
Â
Best Regards,
Mr MIKE UBA .
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Anti-fraud resources:
