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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:
- "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. )
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: USA CUSTOM AUTHORITY <"ssss."@fine.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: USA CUSTOM AUTHORITY <johnkanrwilson@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2017 21:47:48 +0900 (JST)
Subject: USA CUSTOM AUTHORITY
USA CUSTOM AUTHORITY
This is to inform you that your ATM CARD of $2.5 Million USA Dollars we stop is now ready to delivering to your home address, you are to pay $189 for Custom stamp and clearance certificate. Attach is your copy of your ATM card package
Note, you have only 24 hours to pay the fee or your fund will be transfer to Government Treasure as on unclaimed fund. Get Back to us as soon as you receive this mail for urgent proceeding.
Don't forget to reconfirm your full information to avoid wrng delivery such as
1. Your Full Name:
2. Address Where You want us to Send Your ATM Card
3. Cell/Mobile Number:
4. Your ID
We advice you to stop all the communications with everyone regarding your payment as we have short listed to deliver to you and now urge you to comply and receive your ATM Card funds.
Thanks for your understanding as you follow instructions while I wait to hear from you today.
Yours in Services
Officer in duty
JONH KANE WILSON
Call or text message: (313) 666-2833
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Anti-fraud resources:
