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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.
- 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.
- deliveryunitdpt691@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Queen Elizabeth Foundation" <info@qef.com>
Reply-To: deliveryunitdpt691@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:13:07 +0800
Subject: YOUR PARCEL NOTIFICATION!!!
Attn,
This is to inform you that you have a Confirmed Package worth of $750,000.00 USD with us
from the Queen Elizabeth's Foundation, Reconfirm Your Full Name Postal Address: Country:
City and telephone Number: You are also to make payment of $275.00 US Dollars Only for
their immediate action. For the security keeping of your parcel before the parcel can be
delivery to you.
Contact Diplomat Agent: Mr. Philip Lewis with your parcel number (Parcel no.:
TPG1134421)
CONTACT AGENT
Diplomat Agent: Mr. Philip Lewis
Email: deliveryunitdpt691@gmail.com
Telephone: +234-805-344-0311
Also note that if payment is not made delivery of the parcel will not proceed and also
be informed that no cash on delivery is cash before delivery.
Regards.
Mrs. Tracy Peterson
Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Officer
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Anti-fraud resources:
