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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)
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (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.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- king25janny@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "FEDEX OFFICE" <email.office@aol.com>
Reply-To: king25janny@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:48:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: CALL him now (423-437.6987)
Attn: Your Consignment Box of $4.8Million United States Dollars we wish to
inform you that our new diplomatic agent conveying the consignment box valued
the sum of $4.8 Million United States Dollars is currently stranded at
your International airport now. We required you to
reconfirm the following information below so that he can deliver your
consignment box to you today.
NAME: =ADDRESS: MOBILE NO
NAME OF YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT
A COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION COUNTRY=USA
COMPANY REGISTRATION NO :EG58945
CODE NUMBER: 0140479
also make sure that you forward your Code Number and Company Re
registration's to him because it is very important to enable him locate
your package. Please do contact the diplomatic agent with the email below
with the information required. Contact Person : Mr. janny king EMAIL;
( king25janny@yahoo.com ) Tel CALL (423-437.6987) He is waiting to hear
from you today with the information, NOTE:
The Diplomatic agent does not know that the content of the consignment
boxFEDEX Courier Company Benin Republic
OFFICE NUMBER +22999268908
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Anti-fraud resources:
