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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "courier service" (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.
- fedexcourierservice131@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Jenifer Johnson <aseppurnama@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 May 2014 10:20:45 +0000
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD PACKAGE.
You were compensated by United Nations Organization with ATM MASTER CARD worth sum of $4.8Million US. And i have registered your ATM MASTER CARD to the FedEx COMPANY this morning as we agreed and the delivery will take place tomorrow morning immediately they received your mailing address based on my agreement with FedEx Director MOST IMPORTANT:
This is To Update You Regarding Your CARD ATM worth of $4.8Million US. Contact The FedEx Courier Services With Your Delivery Address, phone number, full name, age, country, send the informations to them Via Their Details below: Name Dr.
Mohammed Tanko Esq. Email: (fedexcourierservice131@yahoo.com).
Tel+229-98785325
Mr.Jenifer Johnson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
