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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:
- "certificate fee" (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. )
- "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)
- "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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Williams" <".Williams."@leaf.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. John Williams" <johnwilliams@ideascourierandlog.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2017 23:03:04 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Urgent
Attention please,
I just received an email from Mr. John Williams the Director Of NEW IDEA COURIER COURIER COMPANY that the ATM CARD valued the sum of ($2.5 Million Dollars) which I sent to you was returned back due to wrong address provided, They need the reconfirmation of the following information's:
Your Full Name:
Your Address:
Your Phone Number:
Your Age and occupation:
Contact them with the following information immediately:
Mr. John Williams
Telephone: +229 99455039
E-mail:(johnwilliams@ideascourierandlog.com)
They will require you to pay for International Delivery Permit Certificate fee, please don't hesitate, pay it immediately so they will recommence the shipment and also forward your tracking information to you. Just send me a brief email as soon as you received the shipment.
Your registration code is (FTCS/14160/2017), use it as your subject when contacting them so they will recognize you and attend to you without any delay.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Best Regards
Mr. John Williams
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