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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:
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- fedex_customerservicedep@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: fedex_customerservicedep@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 17:15:14 +0800
Subject: ATTENTION TO THE OWNER OF THIS EMAIL ADDRESS
Dear Customer/Beneficiary!
Kindly contact our delivery department with the details
Given below: FedEx Courier Express NG©
Contact fedex_customerservicedep@yahoo.com.hk
Telephone: +234-7035267237
Reasons: This is due to the fact that we are in possession
Of your Package containing a master card worth of five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars that was registered
With us by the Master Card Award Team for shipment to you,
You are to act fast by providing the below to enable us makes
the delivery ASAP.
YOur Full Name
Current Address:
Telephone Number:
Note that as soon as our Delivery Team confirms your
Informations, it will take only two working days (48 hours)
For your package to arrive your designated address. For your
Information, the Mail, VAT & Shipping fees have been paid by
The Award Promo Board you will only have to pay a sum of
$290 USD to the FedEx Courier Department being full payment
For the Security Keeping Fee of the FedEx Courier as stated
In our privacy terms & condition page.
Yours Faithfully,
Secretary
Mrs. Mercy Hunt ©
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COPYRIGHT © 2011 MasterCard®.
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