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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 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. )
- 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.
- nelsonwilliams75@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Wilson Ndu <wny876tej5s@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Wilson Ndu <nelsonwilliams75@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:47:23 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Your $5.9 Million in ATM CARD
Attn My Dear ,I have registered your package with UBA BANK PLC this morning and we agreed up that the delivery of your $5.9million in ATM CARD delivery will take place Tomorrow morning.I was told by the DHL Manager you need to provide sum of USD$95.00 for Clearance Certificate so that the same will be forwarded to DHL Head Office in your City for Clearance.
I want you to act accordingly by sending the fee today and get your ATM CARD cleared from DHL Company in your City. The DHL Manager assured me that within 48-hours of obtaining this Clearance Certificate from Custom Office here you must confirm your ATM CARD while your ATM CARD Pin code is: 7784 and immediately you confirm the Card you will start using it.
Here is the Dhl Company Director Contact and Addres No,9 ste vill nowvel Anambra NigeriaName: Mr. Nelson WilliamEmail: nelsonwilliams75@yahoo.com.hk
So you information is needed to avoid wrong delivery.Full Name:.............Home Address:........Occupation:.............Cell Phone:............Country:.................Age:................
Contact Mr. Nelson William Email: (nelsonwilliams75@yahoo.com.hk)Thank You for being patient.Dr. David  James.ATM Department Office
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Anti-fraud resources:
