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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:
- "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: "(Stephen P. Beattie) United Nations Compensation Commission" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stephenpowers601@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2015 17:39:04 +0800
Subject: Re:Your ATM CARD Is Ready For Immediate Delivery:
I want to use this medium to inform you that your ATM CARD of US$2 Million which was bequeathed to you by the United Nations Compensation Department has been approved for immediate release to you.
We have decided to have the ATM CARD delivered to you with the aid of reliable Courier Service who has the capability to do so.
Please note that the said Package have been bonded and packaged in such a way that no amount can be deducted from it.
Before the package is released to you, we have to conduct our own verification to confirm that you are indeed the beneficiary of the package. After the Verification Process, the package will be delivered to you.
In order to conclude the verification Process on time, we need the following information from you.
Full Name: Surname/Middle Name/ First Name
Address:
Date of Birth: Month / Day/ Year
Occupation:
Telephone/Mobile Numbers:
We do not intend to keep this package longer than necessary and your compliance will facilitate the quick release of this Package to you.
Stephen P. Beattie
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Anti-fraud resources:
