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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "David Louw" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <david_louw009@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:30:08 +0100
Subject: I have good news for you.
Hello
I have good news for you.
Your long awaited package containing $15.5 Million is en-route your address.
It will be delivered via Diplomatic Armored Vehicle. The Diplomatic Armored Company has delegated an official to effect the delivery of the package to you.
So, you need to confirm the following information
1. Address where you want the package delivered to
2. Mobile Telephone Number.
The Telephone number is very important and but its essential that you provide a number that can receive and send text messages. It will be used to give the official delivering the package to you directions to the address you want the funds delivered.
So, provide the telephone & mobile numbers asap.
Regards,
David Louw
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Anti-fraud resources:
