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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 courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Ifeanyi Ubah <dr_ifeanyiubah@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: drifeanyubah@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:33:02 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary
Attn: Beneficiary, I am Dr.Ifeanyi Ubah, National Security Adviser to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, DR. GOOD LUCK JONATHAN . This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash delivery. This system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send your contract payment of $10 Million USD. to you via diplomatic courier service. I have secured every needed document to cover the money from Nigeria until it gets to your country. Note: The money is coming in one security box.So all I needed from you is your contact address such as: 1:Your full name/address2:Your age/occupation3:Copy of your drivers license/intl passport4:Your Celluar/telephone number5 Your next of kin6 Your Nearest Airport Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me immediately you receive this message. Please I need urgent reply because the box are schedule to be dispatched as soon as we hear from you. Send me a mail
immediately you receive this message. Best Regards,Dr.Ifeanyi Ubah National Security Adviser to the PresidentFederal Republic of Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
