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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:
- "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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "courier company" (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: "MARK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <akunna102@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 04:12:20 -0800
Subject: CALL ME RIGHT AWAY
Dear Beneficiary,
,
This is to inform you that arrangements have been concluded as regards
to the shipment of your consignment of funds to your country.
I choose to conclude it and make sure it is off already before contacting you.
I found out that this consignment has been lying here because of
non-payment of shipment fees.
This is why I decided to use my connections as the Shipment officer in
charge of the National Security warehouse. (This is where all the
abandoned consignments in Nigeria are kept at the orders of the
Government of Nigeria.)
The consignment left Lagos Nigeria yesterday night en-route country
via Spain_USA.
It is metal box, silver in color with a weight of about 150kg, the box
is declared as containing diplomatic /inheritance documents only.
The name of the Courier Company based in Spain is Air Courier
International Ltd Call me immediately so that I can give you the phone
numbers of the courier company in Spain so that you confirm when the
consignment will arrive your country.
All I need from you now is your full details. (1) Your full names (2)
Your postal address (3) Your private cell phone and fax number. (4)
Your international passport or Drivers lineces if you have any.
I choose to do this for you because I studied your file and discovered
that you have paid a lot of money before abandoning this consignment
and I believe you will compensated me well when you receive the
consignment.
Note: I know the content of the Box because I could see the amount you
are being owned by the Federal Government. This is why I decided to
get involved.
You must also know that this arrangement do not concern
all the people you were dealing with in Nigeria before today as this
consignment/Payment has been surrendered to the Government.
Waiting for your mail.Call me right away +234-802459-4327
Best Regards,
Mr Akunna Mark
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