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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "consignment " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: American Security Service ltd <itpolm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: expresss@blumail.org
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:46:16 +0900 (KST)
Subject: Notification of Payment $3.850,000. USD
Dear Sir/Madam;
This is an official notification of a consignment Marked "Personal Effects" deposited with us on the 4th August 2011 by a United Nations licensed diplomat Jones Wilks from Africa attached to Apex Security Service ltd . It content was
said to have your fund valued at $3.850,000. USD Three Millions Eight Hundred and Fifty thousand United State Dollars Since then we have been waiting for you to contact us for the delivery.
We arrange for the safekeeping of special and valuable packages and baggage in trust for reputable clients that are honest and trustworthy. Please email or fax us the following information below to enable us make the necessary delivery schedule
of your consignment to your doorstep.
Your complete name..............Proof of Identification: (Passport or driver's License__________________ Your Complete Address (Physical Address with Zip Code):_________________ Nearest Airport______________ Direct Telephone/ Fax Number ______________________ E-mail Address:____________________
complete the above and send back to us as soon as possible for a possible delivery timetable.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joyce Willson Good
American Security Service ltd.
Mail id: expresss@blumail.org
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Anti-fraud resources:
