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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- ",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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Eric M. Thorson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ericmthorsondelivery@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 00:49:17 +0100
Subject: U.S. Department Of The Treasury
U.S. Department Of The Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington D.C. 20220 USA.
NOTE: If you received this message in your SPAM/JUNK folder, that is because of the restrictions implemented by your Internet Service Provider.
We urge you to treat it genuine urgency......
This is to bring to your notice that you have a registered ATM CARD of ($2,500,000 usd) available for pickup with DIAMOND EXPRESS COURIER customer service with registration code (2921139396). Please Contact us with your delivery information:
1. Your Full Name................
2. Your Telephone No..........
3. Your Country................
4. Your Home Address........
ROYAL EXPRESS LOGISTICS
Name: Mr.David Reetz
E-mail: diamondexp@yeah.net
The Insurance & Delivery fee has been completely footed. You are hereby required to ONLY pay a Security Keeping fee of $250 only. Please indicate the registration Number as stated above while providing them with your Address and Phone number for your delivery.
Best Regards
Mr.Eric M. Thorson
U.S. Department Of The Treasury
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Anti-fraud resources:
