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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:
- "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 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.
- fred_agoha@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: john nelson <johnnelson951@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: john nelson <fred_agoha@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:40:40 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attention please!!!
Attention please!!!
We have registered your ATM CARD of (US$4.5) with UPS Express Courier
Company with registration code of ( 9665776) I have been trying to reach you on your telephone about an hour now just to inform you. please Contact with your
delivery information. Address we have here with us Since i could not get you on phone.
Contact Person:
Name Mr.Fred_Agoha
E-mail: ( fred_agoha@hotmail.com )
Tel:+229 68 66 46 13
We have paid for the Insurance & Delivery fee.The only fee you have to pay
is their Security fee only.Please indicate the registration Number of (
22-82797457 )and ask Him how much is their Security fee so that you can
pay it.And dont pay more than $95 dollar for there Security fee. Ask them how to make the payment to there office
Best Regards.
Dr.John Nelson
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Anti-fraud resources:
