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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:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "fedex.deliverydpt@live.com" (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.
- 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: "UNITED NATIONS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedex.deliverydpt@live.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 10:39:01 +0100
Subject: Attn: Your Inheritance/Contract Payment from UNITED NATIONS!!!
This mail is to inform you of your registered package.CONTENT: Bank Draft
of $750, 000.00 USD registered by an Office of the (UNITED NATIONS
COMPENSATION COMMISSION) This Funds is a donation to you from the :
www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/ik344.doc.htm http://www.un.org.ua
http://www.un.org.ua/en/un-resident-coordinator-system/office-of-un-resident-co
ordinator.
through e-mails balloting in affiliation with commonwealth poverty
eradication program to assist the poor.(The only fee you will ask to pay
for is security keeping fee which is $132.00 US Dollars Only and your
package will be delivered to your door step).
Shipment Details
SHIPMENT CODE AWB 33XZS
PACKAGE REGISTERED CODE NO XGT442.
SECURITY CODE SCTC/2001DHX/567/
TRANSACTION CODE 233/CSTC/101/33028/
CERTIFICATE DEPOSIT CODE SCTC/BUN/xxiv/-78/01
Do contact the fedEX Delivery Company with your names,age,telephone and delivery
Address.
Contact FedEx Delivery Department.
Name: Mr.James Forston
Email: fedex.deliverydpt@live.com
Tel: +2348187098170
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Yulia Svavolya
Coordinator.
FOUNDATION/UNITED NATIONS ©2011.
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