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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.
- 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:
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
- 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.
- fedexexpresltd@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr.Larry Morris" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedexexpresltd@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 16:33:12 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS.
Dear Patner,
I write to inform you that I have registered your consignment box valued
{US$8.6 Million Dollars} with FEDEX COURIER COMPANY for immedaite delivery
of the consignment to you.
PLS, WRITE TO (DR. GEORGE BROWN) AND REQUEST FOR YOUR CONSIGNMENT OK.
DR. GEORGE BROWN,
FedEX Express Delivery.
TEL: +229 9879 8911
E-mail: fedexexpresltd@sify.com
Send them your contact information to enable them locate you and deliver
your CONSIGNMENT BOX to you as soon as possible.
YOUR FULL NAME: _____________
HOME/OFFICE ADDRESS: _______________
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBERS: ___________
YOUR OCCUPATION: ________
YOUR AGE_______
A COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION: _______
Best Regards,
Barr. Larry Morris
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Anti-fraud resources:
