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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:
- "clearance permit" (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 agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- diplomatic.agent31@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.HENRY WILLIAMS" <fileeeoofice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomatic.agent31@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 05:28:41 -0300
Subject: I'm Diplomatic Agent Mr. Henry Williams
--
I'm Diplomatic Agent Mr. Henry Williams , I have been trying to reach you on
your Email about couple of days now, just to inform you about my successful
arrival in South San Francisco International Airport California, with your ATM
VISA CARD. Which I have been instructed by D.H.L COURIER DELIVERY
COMPANY to be
delivered to your home address. The Airport Authority demanded for all
the legal
back up papers to prove to them that the ATM VISA CARD ready delivery, I have
presented the papers I handed to them and they are very much pleased with the
papers I presented but the only thing that is still keeping me here is the
airport custom yellow tag and International Clearance Permit
certificate. Which
is not placed on the package, one of the Airport Authority has advice that we
get the custom yellow tag and International Delivery Permit certificate which
cost $89.
Regard
DIPLOMATIC. Henry Williams
(diplomatic.agent31@yahoo.fr)
CALL ME ON THIS LINE: 209 479 7232
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Anti-fraud resources:
