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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:
- "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)
- "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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447017045032 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: OFFICE FILE <rbioffice111@gmail.com>
Reply-To: OFFICE FILE <gdex_expresscourierservice@europe.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2015 09:23:19 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: CONTACT GD-EX EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE UNITED KINGDOM
 Attention Dear customer,
I have registered your CONSIGNMENT BOX with GD-EX EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE UNITED KINGDOM this morning as we agreed and the delivery will take off tomorrow morning based on my agreement with GD-EX EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE Director Dr Jerry B Law contact Direct Office line:+447017045032+447017045032.MOST IMPORTANT is kindly reconfirm your current delivery address to him include your phone number then contact GD-EX EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE via the following e-mail{} I will not be reached on Phone till May 20th 2015.Note that you will pay for delivery only which will cost you little amount so ask them how much/where to send the fee and Your amount in the Card is US$1.5Million,the Pin code of your CONSIGNMENT BOX is: {0609}
Yours Faithfully
Mrs. Rose James
United Nation Agent
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Anti-fraud resources:
