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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:
- "here in london united kingdom" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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: "BARRISTER MICHAEL NICHOLS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michael_nichols@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:18:15 +0800
Subject: YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED
Attention:
I'm Michael Nichols Esq. a lawyer here in London United Kingdom. I know this may look surprising to you because we have never met but I found your contact particulars from an address journal and have summed up the courage to contact you. I apologies for taking a little of your time but be rest assured that you will be greatly rewarded if only you will help out.
A few days ago, a UN Diplomat arrived in China to deliver two consignment boxes containing the sum of US$15,500,000.00 USD(Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) to my client's foreign partner in China. Unfortunately all attempts to trace the contact address of the recipient have been unsuccessful,the UN Diplomat has been trying to reach him on phone but still to no avail and the diplomat unaware of the content of the boxes is planning to leave the boxes at the Airport warehouse to proceed with his diplomatic mission abroad. My client had earlier told the Diplomat that the boxes contained company materials and documents.
My client "Mrs. Margaret Nkrumah" is offering you 30% of the said funds for your willingness to act as the new recipient to the boxes and then help her receive and keep the boxes safe in your care pending on when she arrives to meet with you.
As soon as you respond indicating your interest, I will inform the UN Diplomat to proceed to get the necessary papers for the clearance of the Consignment and after that I will link you to meet with the Diplomat right there in China.
Please get back with your-
Full Names:
Full Contact Address:
Direct Telephone Numbers:
And I will furnish you with more details.
Sincerely,
Michael Nichols Esq.
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Anti-fraud resources:
