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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "Godwin Emefiele" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnagu2020@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 00:46:19 -0800
Subject: GET BACK TO ME
>From Godwin Emefiele
Central. Bank Of Nigeria.
(Governor)
+234-803 8232123.
Sir
I am From Godwin Emefiele The Executive Governor, Central. Bank Of Nigeria. I
decided to contact you because of the prevailing security report reaching my
office and the intense nature of politics in Nigeria.
This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash
delivery.This system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send
your contract part payment of US$10. Million to you via diplomatic courier
service.
Note: The money is coming on 2 security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed
with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. This fund was brought to
us from America.
But since the money was not used, I will use my position as the Executive
Governor,Central. Bank Of Nigeria. to send this fund to you.
The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to
your house address. All you need to do now Is to send to me your full house
address and your identity such as, international passport or drivers license
including your contact phone numbers, The Diplomat will make use of your
information to identify you and as a receiver. He will call you immediately
he arrives your country's airport. I hope you understand me.
Note: The diplomatic does not know the original contents of the boxes. What
l declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film Material.
I did not declare money to them please. If they call you and ask you the
contents please tell them the same thing Ok.
Call me on my direct mobile: +234-803 8232123. and will let you know how far
I have gone with the arrangement. I will secure the Diplomatic immunity
clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it stand as a
diplomatic consignment.
This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world
without hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements
to me immediately you receive this message.
Please I need urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to be delivered as
soon as we hear from you. Call me immediately you receive this message.
Best Regards,
>From Godwin Emefiele
Central. Bank Of Nigeria (Governor)
+234-803 8232123
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Anti-fraud resources:
