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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- drwilliamjack@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.WILLIAM JACK" <"www."@wing.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "MR.WILLIAM JACK" <drwilliamjack@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 03:27:40 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU
Greetings, My name is Diplomat drwilliam jack. I,m an international diplomat delivery officer from Economic Community Of West Africa States (ECOWAS), I just arrived La Crosse Wisconsin with your Cash consignment Box worth $4,500,000 USD. Right now I am standing at La Crosse Regional Airport as I am having a problem to locate your nearest airport and address for finishing delivery.
Kindly Fill The Below Information To Avoid Wrong Delivery
Your Full Name: __________
Your Address: __________
Your Direct Tel Phone: __________
A Copy Of Your Id for identification: __________
Nearest Airport: __________
Below is my Contact details
Email: drwilliamjack@yahoo.com
Phone (608) 424-5602
I am waiting now to enable me complete the trip.
Regards drwilliam jack
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Anti-fraud resources:
