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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)
- "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. )
- "million us 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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "netcourierservice7@24.tc" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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. Agard George" <officefile1952@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: netcourierservice7@24.tc
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:07:50 +0200
Subject: Contact Netcourier Company with this shipment code number ( NCS-0118 )
Dear Friend,
I am very happy to inform you that I have been able to work out a new way
to which you will receive this your funds as parcel and as it may interest
you to know I have been able to get in contact with a Diplomat who is going
to deliver the parcel to your door step and as I made the plan he will be
delivering a parcel to you and the content of the parcel will be your funds
in total of $2.8Million us dollars as it was before although I did not
revel to them about the content of the parcel because I simply told them
that the content of the parcel is your personal belongings/ family
valuables,
Listen your Funds is still with us but we have deposited your funds as
parcel for the delivery. Remember your fund will be registered as family
valuables for security reasons under security monitoring department with a
seal on it for security reasons according to the management of the
despatching company this afternoon he said that You can find their code
number by side of the parcel there is a place on it they will write (
NCS-0118 ) when you open it through that side you will see the code to open
it so contact and call the delivery company today on this information
below,
HERE IS NET COURIER SERVICE ADDRESS BELOW/
Contact Person: Rev Maxwell Goody
Email ( netcourierservice7@24.tc )
Tel/Fax +229-9961-6331/+229-980-726-31
Note that Your fund as parcel will be register as family valuables with
code ( NCS-0118 )
At this point I wish to know your readiness to receive your fund as you
will be required to reconfirm your receiving address once more so that I
will make sure that I gave them your correct address to avoid any mistake
about the delivery they told me that you will be required to pay for the
Security Keeping Fee of the parcel for a little rate amount of money which
will only cost you ( $135 dollar.)
KINDLY RECOMFIRM YOUR FULL INFORMATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY.
Your Full Name................
Your Home Address..............
Your Country...............
Your current Phone Number ..............
Your Cell Number...............
Also I want to remind you that no body will tamper with the parcel until it
gets to your destination waiting to hear from you soon about this and dont
fail to indicate your direct and current phone number as well.
Best Regards,
Mr. Agard George (ESQ)
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