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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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. John Anderson Powell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnandersonpowell13@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2019 01:58:32 -0800
Subject: Act Accordingly.
Mr. John Anderson Powell
Assistance Manager of Fidelity Worldwide Investment (FWI)
John F. Kennedy International Airport USA
Address: Queens, NY 11430, USA.
To Your Attention.
I am Mr. John Anderson Powell, Assistance Manager of Fidelity Worldwide Investment and Head of Luggage and Baggage storage facilities here at John F. Kennedy International Airport New York United States. During my recent withheld package routine check at the Airport Storage Vault (ASV), I discovered that you are not yet to receive your fund of US$10 Million in a two trunk boxes. Meanwhile for security reason I have secured your two trunk boxes of US$10 Million which I register with Fidelity Worldwide Investment with registered number FWI/1299/XX95/219/2019.
Be informed that we the Fidelity Worldwide Investment have concluded the arrangement to delivery your two trunk boxes to you through diplomatic means. So in order words to enable me cross check your details, I will advise you to send the required details below for quickly processing and get your two trunk boxes delivered to you within the next 24hours.
(1). Name:
(2). Address:
(3). Telephone Number:
(4). Occupation:
(5). Age:
(6). Gender:
(7). Marital Status:
(8). Company's Name:
(9). Driver's License OR Passport:
(10). Nearest Airport:
I wait to hear from you as soon as possible today then you have to keep this confidential and I will appreciate it. Call or text me on +1 (518)-303-2602.
Best regards,
Mr. John Anderson Powell.
+1 (518)-303-2602.
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Anti-fraud resources:
