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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Ahmed Sule" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drahmedsule2@e-mail.ua>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:18:27 -0800
Subject: DIPLOMATIC DELIVERY FOR YOUR FUND
FROM THE DESK OF
DR AHMED SULE
DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL REMMITTANCE
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
CONFIDENTIAL COURIER PAYMENT
Attn:Beneficiary,
I am Dr. Ahmed Sule , I decided to contact you because of the prevailing security report reaching my office and the intense nature of polity in Nigeria.
This is to inform you about our plan to send your Inheritance Fund Part Payment of US$5.5 M to you via Diplomatic Delivery System. This Payment system will be easier for you and for us. I will secure all the required Clearance and Release Documents for your Fund to ensure an unhindered delivery.This clearance will make it go through every custom checkpoint all over the world without hitch.
Note: The Money is coming in 2 security Proof boxes.The boxes are sealed with Synthetic Nylon Seal and Padded with machine. I will use my Official Discretion to ensure that the Fund is released . The boxes are coming with an Accredited Diplomatic Agent Boxes to your. All you need to do now Is to send the underlsited Information:
1. Your Full Name and House Address
2. Your identification such as, international passport or driver's license
3. Your contact phone number
The Diplomatic agent attached will travel with this required information For the delivery of your fund. He will call you immediately he arrives Your country's airport.
I will let you know when these consignments will be lifted,and Note: The Agent does not know the original contents of the boxes. What i declared to them as the contents is the Sensitive Photographic Film Material.
Please I need your urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to be airlifted as soon as we hear from you.
Get back to me as soon as you release.
Best Regards,
Dr.Ahmed Sule
+234-8099027494
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