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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "paul collins" <collinspaul8990@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2019 19:44:31 +0300
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION FROM CUSTOM AUTHORITY
URGENT ATTENTION FROM CUSTOM AUTHORITY
This is to inform you that your consignment box of $10.5
Million USA Dollars we stop now from delivering to your home
address, you are to pay $150 for Custom stamp and clearance
certificate. Attach is your copy of your consignment box,
Remember to send your Full Delivery information to avoid
any mistake or wrong Delivery such as,
Full name:
Address:
City:
State:
Country:
Telephone Number:
Nationality:
Your Next Of Kin:
sex:
age:
Attach copy of your ID:
Note, you have only 24 hours to pay the fee or your fund
will be transfer to Government Treasure as on unclaimed
fund. Get Back to us,
text me 206)552-7274
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Anti-fraud resources:
