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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- 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. )
- "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 immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("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: "Lt. General ALIYU MOHAMMED" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aliuy_mohammed@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2015 19:00:09 -0500
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY PAYMENT
CONFIDENTIAL DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY PAYMENT
ATTN: Sir/Madam
I am Lt. Gen ALIYU MOHAMMED, National Adviser to President Mr. Good luck Jonathan The president Federal Republic of Nigeria. I decided to contact you because of the Prevailing security report reaching my office and the intense nature of polity in Nigeria . This is to inform you about our plan to send your fund to you via cash delivery. This system will be easier for you and for us. We are going to send your contract/ part payment of $20Million USD to you via courier service.
Note: The money is. Coming on 2 security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed with Synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. This fund was brought to us from America ; it was meant for our Local AFEM market. But since the money was not used, I will use my position as the National Security Adviser to the President to send this fund to you.Please you don't have to worry for any thing I will finance the transaction.The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to your House address.
All you need to do now is to send to me your full house address and your identity such as, international passport or driver’s license including your contact phone numbers, The Diplomatic attached will travel with it. He will call you immediately he arrives in your country's airport. I hope you understand me.Please know that the only money you are going to spend is for the dispatch and registration of your consignment key and the original documentary. I will let you know when the special Grace of God will airlift the boxes. Note: The diplomatic does not know the original contents of the boxes. What l
Declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film Material.I did not declare money to them please. If they call you and ask you the contents
Please tell them the same thing Ok. Call me on my phone 234-818-517-1239 and will let You know how far I have gone with the arrangement. I will secure the Diplomatic Immunity clearance certificate that will be tagged on the boxes to make it stand As a diplomatic consignment. This clearance will make it pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to Me immediately you receive this message.
Please I need urgent reply because the boxes are schedule to be as soon as we Hear from you. Call me immediately you receive this message.
Best Regards,
Lt. General ALIYU MOHAMMED
National Security Adviser to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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