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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:
- "clearance 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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- info.deliveroffice@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Robert Russell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.deliveroffice@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2018 10:34:59 +0100
Subject: ABANDON CONSIGNMENT FUND
Dear Recipient,
I am from Honolulu International Airport (HIA). A forfeited and false declared Consignment is deposited here at the restricted bonded warehouse for auditing. On routine inspection, I discovered this forfeited consignment with your email address on the bill of entry manifest. The Value of the cash stuffed consignment was not declared but assumed approximately 10Millionusd. It was forfeited because of false declaration by the Consignee and the delivery officers 'inability to pay the Non Inspection Clearance fee (NI). The Consignment was originally declared as personal effect while the real content is cash money.
I solicit your acceptance to use my position to clear and deliver this Consignment to you on condition that I will be compensated after receipt. Indicate your acceptance by forwarding:
1. Your Full Name.
2. Home phone & Cell Phone
3. Home delivery address.
4. Airport Closest to you.
5. Any form of Identification either Drivers license or International Passport.
All communication must be private because we are under the watchful eye of the security agents here. Once the clearance is completed I will deploy the service of a secured dispatch company that will deliver to your doorstep.
Regards,
Robert Russell.
UN Audit Officer
Telephone.+16025000506
email.(info.deliveroffice@gmail.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
