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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John William" <"www."@dream.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. John William" <mr.john_williams@zoho.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2017 09:32:02 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR PACKAGE HAS SUCCESSFULLY ARRIVED
I'm Diplomatic Agent John William ;I have been trying to reach you on your Email about Some hours now,just to inform you about my successful arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport USA, with your ATM CARD worth $2.5 MILLION USD, which I have been instructed by DHL DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered to you, call me or sms (206) 208-5370
Meanwhile you are advice to reconfirm the below information upon contacting me to avoid delivery to wrong person.
1- Your Full Name
2- Your Delivery Address
3- Your Contact Telephone Number
4- Your Occupation
5- Your Identification (Passport number or ID Card number)
Thanks
Diplomatic Agent.John William
Call: (206) 208-5370
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Anti-fraud resources:
