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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:
- "the diplomat " ("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: "Kevin McAleenan " <"WWW."@royal.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Kevin McAleenan " <airport_customsservice404@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:02:31 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Urgent massage form customs service and Border Protection
Urgent massage form customs service and Border Protection' how are you doing' I'm Mr.Kevin McAleenan Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Department of Homeland Security' their is Package of Atm master card coming to you from West Africa Benin and the diplomat agent who is conveying the delivery of your package just arrived at the airport with the package' kindly contact us with your correct home address for security reason also to enable us release the diplomat agent to book his final flight to your nearest airport as soon as possible today' Thank you'
Name_____
City___/ Street address
Occupation____
Age____/ Copy ID Card
Regards
Mr.Kevin McAleenan
Telephone Number:(734-400-0510
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection'
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Anti-fraud resources: