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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:
- "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: johnson Bn <"info."@mist.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: johnson Bn <jb45463@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:15:26 +0900 (JST)
Subject: text me now 2819298977
I'm Mr.Mike William your Diplomatic agent from DHL office Benin Republic,I have been trying to reach you on your Email about couple of hours now, just to inform you about my successful arrival in Chicago Chicago Midway International Airport,IL(state) USA with your ATM VISA CARD which I have been instructed by DHL COURIER COMPANY to be delivered to your home address.meanwhile i want you to Reconfirm your full information’s such as your name, address and phone number to avoid wrong delivery so that i can proceed to your home address immediately am cleared from this airport.
Regard’s
Mr.Mike William
text me now +1(2819298977
mrmikewilliam113@outlook.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
