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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: walter mike <waltermike126@att.net>
Reply-To: waltermike20111@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 10:32:12 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Diplomat Walter Mike
Attn
After we have series of meetings between the oil development in with United Nation and Members of Economic West African States(Eco was) and G8 Committee your file fell among the submitted list of beneficiaries to receive their consignment from United Nation this last delivery batch for the year 2010.
To get your consignment delivered at your doorstep address as agreed by United Nation,you will be required to forward to my Commission the followings: copy of your identification (either driver's license or Intl.passport copy), your office & home address, telephone numbers (including cell phone no. for effective communication) and also the name of your
nearest Intl. airport to your city.
Please get back to me.
Regards
Diplomat Walter Mike
+233272114770
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Anti-fraud resources:
