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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:
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- niconinsuranceplc@financier.com (Financier; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- information below. contact person:mu kari email:niconinsuranceplc@financier.com tel:+2347026214004 note: that i have paid the (Financier; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Barrister Frank Igwe <info@compensation.com>
Reply-To: <buchiude102@yahoo.de>
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1988 02:21:47 -0800
Subject: Complements of the season dear customer.
Our Ref: RTB /SNT/STB
Dear Customer.
This is to officially inform you that ATM Card has been accredited in your favor Value $1.8Million United States Dollars. You are advice to contact our Affiliate courier company with the information below.
Contact Person:MU Kari
Email:niconinsuranceplc@financier.com
Tel:+2347026214004
NOTE: that i have paid the insurance/delivery fee therefore make sure you contact him as i directed you above to enable them deliver your atm card without dely.I am will been leaving to France tonight for Xmas holiday and will be back on January 15th 20100. Please direct all correspondence via this mailbox (mrsgloriakudi2@sify.com.
Make sure you contact him with your informations as below.
FULL NAME:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER
COUNTRY:
OCCUPATION:
SEX:
AGE:
Best Regards.
Mrs.Gloria Kudi.
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Anti-fraud resources:
