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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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)
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- kmart667@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "GODWIN EMEFIELE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <godwineme34@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2018 16:52:41 -0000
Subject: Get back to me
Compensation from the new president Muhammadu Buhari.
Central Bank of Nigeria, Investigation has revealed that After.all promises to deliver your funds $1.5 Million United State Dollars has not been paid to you, However,am glad to inform you on the development of your compensation funds,
Your Diplomat Has arrived successful in JFK International Airport New York with your consignment box worth $1.5 Million United State Dollars,You are given 24 hours to confirm your full house/office address and valid phone number to Diplomat
Named Kelly Martin To enable him deliver your consignment box containing.the amount of ($1.5 Million United State Dollars) to you today.contact Diplomat Kelly Martin with this Information below:
CONTACT PERSON: KELLY MARTIN.
EMAIL: kmart667@gmail.com
TELEPHONE:+1 480 439 3187
CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR OF NIGERIA: GODWIN EMEFIELE
CELL PHONE:+234-8035185180.
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Anti-fraud resources:
