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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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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: "scott" <scott@montgomeryprint.com>
Reply-To: dhl2012courier@acmilan.com.cn
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2012 01:41:28 -0500
Subject: Re: CONTACT DHL NOW
Good day, how are you today? I am writing to inform you that We thank God that you are not going to pay any money to anybody to receive your fund because they have waive all the fees for you to receive your fund after i have explain to them on you behalf that you have suffered so long and yet you have not receive your fund package valued sum of $2.8millions which is awaiting claim since. And i decided to use DHL Courier company service now, instead of Dhl because of your past bitter experience with Dhl company.
As for my agreement with the DHL Courier Company they promised that yourconsignment will leave this Country as soon as they received your delivering address as needed, But the Director of the DHL COURIER COMPANY said that they need your contacts information’s to enable them meet up with you immediately there Diplomat Agent arrived to your Country. Please write a letter of application to the given address below.
ATTN: Mr. Williams Ume
Email. (dhl2012courier@acmilan.com.cn)
Tell phone= +229 9604-0606
Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your PACKAGE. This is whatthey need from you.
1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.OR OFFICE ADDRESS
3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.
4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.
5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE, FOR WELL IDENTIFICATION.
6.YOUR NEAREST AIR-PORT.===7.YOUR MAIL ADDERSS======8.PASSWORD======Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director General of DHL Courier Company Mr. Williams Ume with the address given to you.
Note. The DHL courier company doesn’t know the contents of the PACKAGE.It was registered as a BOX containing Africa cloths. They don't know it contains money. This is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. Don’t let them know that is money that is in that Box.
I am waiting for your urgent response.
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Yours,
Mr. Peter Scott. here is my new telephone number to reach me +229 6468-8821
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