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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 phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "dhldelivery001@hosanna.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "MR JOHN ADAMS (ESQ)" <fredibee@gmail.com>
Reply-To: dhldelivery001@hosanna.net
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:11:18 -0300 (ART)
Subject: CONTACT DHL COMPANY FOR YOUR CONSIGNMENT
Good day,
I cashed the check of $2.500 000.00 Million USA Dollars due to expiry and
deposited it with DHL Express Courier Benin Branch, so contact the Director.
Dr.Jerry Uba
Email (dhldelivery001@hosanna.net)
Tel:+229 989 313 56
Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director General of
DHL COURIER COMPANY Dr.Jerry Uba with the address given to you. Reconfirm
your info to them and also ask the director to issue the tracking/airway
bill once you send them the information.
Full Name.....................
Home address.................
Home telephone number........
Mobile phone number..........
Country......................
identity.....................
Regards
MR JOHN ADAMS (ESQ)
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Anti-fraud resources:
