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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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 state 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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- spdcourier@execs.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs.Linda Anderson <karen@stoudtsbeer.com>
Reply-To: <spdcourier@execs.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 02:36:51 -0500
Subject: Compliment Of The Season
Compliment Of The Season
Contact the Speed Courier Delivery Company for your consignment box that contained your compensation
fund $4.5 million united state dollars take note that the Speed Courier don't know the contents of
the Box is money i did not let them know just for the safety of the fund in the box to avoid loosing
it so decided not to let them know.
I registered the consignment Box as a box that contained Africa cloths and jewelries they are
waiting for your urgent response with your full delivery informations as stated below:
(1) Your Full Name:............
(2) Full DELIVERY address:.....
(3) Phone And Fax Number:......
(4) Occupation:................
(5) Age:.......................
(6) A scan copy of your drivers license: or international passport:
Contact person:
Directors: Andy Williams
Email Address: spdcourier@execs.com
Phone: +229 66485244
Finally,Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any
further delay remember the only fee you will pay them is their Security Keeping fee.
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs.Linda Anderson
(IMF Representative)
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Anti-fraud resources:
