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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Diplomat Agent Samson Gate <kofiansah522@gmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomatsamsongate511@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2016 00:12:24 +0100
Subject: Your Urgent Attention Is Needed From Diplomat Agent Samson Gate
I have Been Trying To Reach You On Phone For The Past Two Days.
I am DHL Courier Diplomat Agent Samson Gate, this is to inform you that I
have just arrived in Stewart International Airport United State with your
Consignment box worth of $1.5Million United Stated Dollars from Standard
Chartered Bank Benin, I am still currently at the Stewart International
Airport, New York with your consignment box, I will want you to please
reconfirm your receiving address to me once more to avoid any kind of
mistake in this delivery I am still at the Stewart International Airport
trying to make some clearance with the airport authorities before I will
proceed to your home address later tomorrow afternoon to hand over your
consignment box to you at your door step.
I will be looking forward to hear from you with the reconfirmation of your
receiving address.
Regards
Diplomat Agent Samson Gate
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Anti-fraud resources:
