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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "i will advice you " (this email uses bad English)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier company" (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: "BARR. MARK EDWARD" <santarelli@mistral-rio.com>
Reply-To: mark.eddy001@vp.pl
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2016 08:44:05 +0100
Subject: Send A Decline Letter Stating Why You Refuse The 1.5 Million Dollars!!!
This is to inform you that due to your inability to adhere completely to the shipment of the certified cashier check of 1.5 million Dollars, issued in your name and kept in my possession by Alex ikoku My client who incidentally traveled out of the country leaving instruction for shipment to you when you eventually contact me without payment to the FedEx courier company for the delivery.
You are hereby advise to send a letter of decline on why you have decided to decline or discontinue with the delivery process as demanded by the courier company, because all arrangement is in place to commence delivery of the check to you and you as the receiver is been ask to pay the insurance coverage fee of $125.00 dollars to the courier company yourself to ensure the package containing the check meet the Customs specification for large amount of funds coming into your country.
If you are still willing to receive your fund, then i will advice you resend your delivery information to ensure the courier company reconfirm your delivery details and forward to you the required information for the insurance coverage payment and commence delivery of your check with tracking number sent to you to follow up the delivery until it get to your address.
But otherwise, you should send me a decline letter stating the reason why you are given up the fund prior to the arrival of my client to enable me justify my reasons why the check was not shipped to you when my client return to avoid any legal action on my part, a copy of the decline letter will be sent to my client before the cancellation of the check.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation,
full Name ...............................
Beneficiary address................................................
Reason(s) Of DECLINE......................................
Telephone Number.....................................................
Signature .................................................
Best Regards
Barr. Mark Edward
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