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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: DHL INTERNATIONAL <webmaster@swatmicrel.com>
Reply-To: dhl1@dhl.com
Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:29:17 +0000
Subject: TRACK YOUR DELIVERY TODAY
This is to inform you that we have had a consignment in the name of
this your email.We are in conjunction with the FEDEX,DHL,USPS and We
are to confirm that this consignment is in your name too and being
delivered in regards to a transaction you were having.
Now we need to confirm you are the true beneficary of the said
package.You are not to pay a dime more on this delivery for everything
has been taken care of.You will be getting your delivery and your fund
today without any further delay.
We understand you have gone through a lot to get your fund and now we
are 100% sure you will get your package delivered within 24 hours.
Please download the attachment tracking details and make sure you
click on RUN to view your tracking number and then fill in your
delivery address on the form in the attached.Please only fill in on
the attached file and not on email.Make sure you open the tracking
number file.Please open the attached file then make sure you click on
RUN to view.Without clicking on the RUN you cannot be able to view the
file attached.Proceed now and download the tracking details then click
RUN to view your tracking and delivery details.MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON
RUN TO VIEW
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Anti-fraud resources:
