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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("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. )
- "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. )
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- fedexcompany32@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Beyonse Terry <bunogel@9.cn>
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:25:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: My Dear Friend,
My Dear Friend,
How are you today? I hope you're fine.
The Fee for your Draft has been paid. But the manager of DIAMOND BANK (BMB) EPUBLIC
OF BENIN told me that before the Cheque will get to you that it will expire.
So i told him to cash out the $1.5000.00 all the necessary arrangement has been made to deliver
the $1.5000.00 to your designated address through Diplomatic immunity with GLOBAL BASIC
COURIER COMPANY. Contact the Manager of
the Courier Company immediately and call him as you contact him:
NAME: Dr Jeremy Jones
EMAIL: ( fedexcompany32@sify.com )
Tel/ +229-938 926 55,
This in the information they need to delivery your Consignment fund to you.
Therefore Contact the courier company with the information below to send your consignment
to you.
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.
3. YOUR AGE AND OCCUPATION.
4. MOBILE NUMBER
5. CONSIGNMENT NUMBER: ( DCJKT00678G )
Remember to quote the consignment number as you contact the courier company
for identification.
Sincerely
Beyonse Terry.
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