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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 permit" (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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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: "agent.kellydon" <"www."@viola.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "agent.kellydon" <agent.kellydon91@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2017 04:48:39 +0900 (JST)
Subject: This is Diplomatic Agent
This is Diplomatic Agent Mr. Kelly Don my massage is to inform you about my successfully arrival at Los Angeles International Airport California-(USA).
Meanwhile i am having a little problem with the customs authority because of the one document which is INTERNATIONAL CLEARANCE PERMIT of your CONSIGNMENT BOX worth the sum of $4.5 million (USD) which one of The airport authority advised that it will be obtained from Origin country of your fund BENIN REPUBLIC with your name on it.
However i need to reconfirm your delivery address such as:
Your full name
Your home address
Your telephone number
And your nearest international airport.
Also i want you to get back to me immediately so that i will proceed to your home address where you want me to deliver the CONSIGNMENT BOX, also remember about
the needed paperwork which is International Clearance Permit.
You can reach me with this telephone +1(424)269-4580 call or send me text okay.
Thanks,
Mr. Kelly Don, DHL Courier Company
Diplomatic agent call me now.
Tel no: call or sms +1(424)269-4580.
Email:(agent.kellydon91@yahoo. com)
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