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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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: fedex Royalmail <fedexroyalmail@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:18:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: INSTRUCTIONS TO DELIVER YOUR ATM
FedEx Courier Service Nigeria
INSTRUCTIONS TO DELIVER YOUR ATM
Plot 8,Ahmed Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.
DATE:17//012/2011
Tel: + 2348082537816Customers Service Hours--Monday To Saturday:
Office Hours Monday To Saturday:
Attention: Beneficiary
The FedEx office got your letter, well there is nothing we can do because the agreement was that once you pay the fee of your shipment then the FedEx will issue you the tracking number of your parcel and under three working days you will receive your parcel at your door step but whereby you have not pay the $185 there is no way the parcel of your Atm Visa card can be deliver to you so if you are willing to receive your Atm Visa card then you need to pay the $185 so that this office can issue you the tracking number of your parcel.
Down below is the name of the receiver of the fee.
Receivers name: OGENEH C FRANK
Question: WHAT FOR
Answer: ORANGE
Amount: $185
Country: Lagos / Nigeria
Thanks for your Co-operation.
Yours Affectionately.
Mr. Tony Davis.
For the Ikeja Branch Manager FedEx Express Services Lagos-Nigeria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
