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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:
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Geoffrey Miller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <geoffreymiller2000@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 01:01:51 -0800
Subject: RE:I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE
Hello,
I am Geoffrey Miller of the US-NATO COALITION troops here in Afghanistan.I have now in my possession the sum of $10.5 million which was just recovered from one of our raids on terrorists camps here in Afghanistan today,because they keep most of their money at home for evil activities which they normally get through illegal deals on Opium.
Based on the suffering we undergo here in Afghanistan some of us do meet such luck.It happened that in our last raid we raided one of the terrorist strong base here in Afghanistan and we recovered this huge sum. This box of money have been deposited with the RED CROSS OFFICE here in Kabul for its safe keeping pending on the availability of the rightful owner.As the commander of the units which i am,it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this funds.
So i need someone i can deal with on trust and that is why i contacted you. so If you accept this, I will put you forward as the beneficiary of the funds and then move the money to you .As a military personnel i cannot parade or claim such an amount,so i need to present someone as the beneficiary with my military hierarchy of command.I just need your acceptance and all is done.I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic courier service to you.
Once i confirm your interest to my proposal and your positive reply i will proceed to register your name as the beneficiary.
If you are interested, then let me know so i can proceed to register the consignment in your name as time is very important to me because i really need to withdraw from this job as soon as i move this money to you.
This money is my life and i am willing to give you 30% of the total sum when the money is delivered to you.All perfect logistics/intelligence for the success of this transaction has already been put together. I wait for your response so we can proceed immediately. I sincerely seek your indulgence to give this proposal a positive thought.
Kind Regards
Geoffrey Miller
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