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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:
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "tntexpress564@qq.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Carmen Victoria Garcia Bitar" <cgarcia@comfasucre.com.co>
Reply-To: tntexpress564@qq.com
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 09:17:17 -0400
Subject: Attention please!!!
Attention please!!!
This is to inform you that I have registered your Package Metal Iron Box
contains your Compensation Contract Inheritance fund of USD$6.5M with TNT Express
Courier Company. This is the registration Number of your
Consignment Box (KG/97/2014) please Contact the Company now with your
delivery information such as your full name, your current home address and your direct
phone and fax number.This is the TNT DELIVERY Office
Contact person,Mr. Olu Jacob,Email[tntexpress564@qq.com)I have paid for
the Delivery fee, but the only fee you have to pay is their Security
official keeping fee of usd$105.God bless you while i wait to hear from
you as soon as you receive your fund.
Best Regards.
Carmen Victoria Garcia,
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Anti-fraud resources:
