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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:
- "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)
- "the 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.James Kwame" <unsecretaryghana@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 07:03:00 -0400
Subject: A recommendation from a friend
U.N Head office,
Accra-Ghana,
Tel:00233240261419.
27/03/2010.
Attention:
This is to inform you that we have with us two of your consignment boxes with us in United Nations head office here in Accra Ghana which was brought to us by A General in Ghana army for delivery to you.
We know you may not be in Accra or Ghana at this very moment we would like to know were you are because a united nations diplomat have be assign to have your consignments delivered to you immediately under united nations delivery right for a direct delivery to you in your country.
You will have to send to us the following contact details immediately for the assigned diplomat to contact you.
1.A Delivery address to receive your consignments from the diplomat when he arrives your country.
2.A contact telephone number that the diplomat will use to contact you.
Hope to receive the details information's from you soon.The diplomat will be traveling as soon as the traveling documents are ready.
Regards,
Dr.James Kwame,
U.N.secretary.
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Anti-fraud resources:
