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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:
- "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.
- shalorncourier.company@mail.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "DR.AUGUSTINE CHINEDU." <oficialoffice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: shalorn_compay@live.com
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 20:48:21 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: Your Urgent Reply Is Needed From Shalon Courier Company.
ATN:
The diplomat that conveyed your package to New York is back here in
Republique du Benin, He reported that he registered your package with the
custom in John F Kennedy international Airport New York . Since you can’t
afford $199 for Africa Diplomatic Gate pass document.
I want to let you know that the package is not save there because if they
scan the package which i know they will do before sending it to custom
warehouse, if they finds out you have money in that package,
I am afraid your information is registered there as the owner of
thepackage. Please don’t let this to happen to you my good friend,if you
allow it to happen the Interpol or FBI will get you with your information
registered with the custom.
They will charge you for money laundry case. I advice you to do all you
have to do to make sure that the package is out from there before it will
be too late. Get in touch with Mr Paul Eze the diplomat that registeredthe
package there, i believe he can help you. This is his contact Email;
shalorncourier.company@mail.ru
Phone Cell +22996519776,
Thanks
REV.DR.AUGUSTINE CHINEDU.
Shalon Courier Company
Republique du Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
