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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:
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Andy Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <agentdaniel.van@globomail.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:36:30 +0100
Subject: OUR DIPLOMAT IS IN USA WITH YOUR PARCEL
Attn,
Here Is Your Parcel Registration Code: (GB009G)
***************************************************
We wish to inform you that the diplomatic agent conveying your ATM CARD misplaced your delivery address and he is currently stranded in Texas UNITED STATES.We required you re-confirm the following information below so that he can deliver your ATM CARD to you today and You can also call him immediately to enable him complete your delivery today because he has been long there waiting for your responds.
(1)Your Full Name=============
(2)Mobile Phone Number======
(3)Current Home Address========
(4)Occupation====================
(4)Fax Number================
(5)Country====================
(6)City======================
(7)Nearest Airport ==============
(8)A Copy of Your I D For Identification.
Please do contact the diplomatic agent with the email below with the information required.
Contact Person : Mr Daniel Vandy
Email: agentdaniel.van@globomail.com
Yours Sincerely,
Dr Andy Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
