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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "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)
- "million united states 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)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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: "National Security/Diplomatic warehouse Nigeria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamsjordan@yahoo.cn>
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 10:03:26 -0800
Subject: CONTACT HIM IMMEDATELY
National Security/Diplomatic warehouse Nigeria
kelivinwilliams
Cell +2348062922845
+2348062922845
DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY OF YOUR CONSIGNMENT
This is to inform you that arrangements have been concluded in respect to shipment of your $11 million United States dollars consignment/funds to your country.
I choose to conclude shipment to ensure it is lifted before contacting you.This process is the Airlifting of consignment from One Country to another via a Diplomatic means of delivery.
I found out that this consignment has been lying here because you could not settle cost for shipment fees.
This is why I decided to use my Position as the Shipment officer in charge of this Organization to convey this consignment to your Country.(In Our Warehouse there are lots of Abandoned consignments and Valuables kept at the Orders of the British Government)
The consignment has left London two days ago en-route countries are:
SPAIN/NETHERLAND/MALAYSIA/U.A.E/INDIA/U.S.A/CANADA. It's a metal box,Silver in color and weighing of about 75kg,The Content of the Trunk Box was declared.PERSONAL EFFECT AND FAMILY VALUABLES FOR SECURITY REASON.
You can check the status of your delivery via the
Courier Company details hereunder.
WEBSITE: http://www.iship.com
TRACKING NUMBER: 1Z8T99E90197342207
I choose to do this for you because you may have paid a lot of money before,For your information, The Federal Goverment have paid the delivery Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the consignment showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorism attack in your Country.
If is okay for you get back to me for more details.
The only money you will send to the National Security/Diplomatic warehouse Nigeria to deliver your Trunk Box direct to your postal Address in your country is US$100 only being Security Keeping Fee of the NationalSecurity/Diplomatic warehouse Nigeria so far. Again,don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other moneyexcept US$100.
You have to contact the National Security/Diplomaticwarehouse Nigeria now for the delivery of your Trunk Box with this information below:
Contact Agent:.mr.kelivinwilliams
Email Address:kelivinwilliams@yahoo.cn
Reconfirm the below information to the agent:
1. Full Names:
2. Residential Address:
3. Phone Number:
4. Identification:
5. Country:
Note: I know the content of the trunk Box because I could see the amount you are being owned by Nigeria Government.
This is why I decided to get involved. You must also know that this arrangement does not involve any of the people you were dealing with in Nigeria in the past because this consignment/Payment has been surrendered to the Government. Hence my involvement.National Security/Diplomatic warehouse Nigeria.
Waiting for your responds
regard
kelivinwilliams
National Security/Diplomatic warehouse Nigeria.
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