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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:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Gill Tony" <meaganmetcalfe@cogeco.ca>
Date: Mon, 04 May 2020 10:52:51 -0700
Subject: Attn Beneficiary,
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Hello dear Beneficial,
I am happy today to inform you that the whole fees holding your parcel from getting to your house address given has been paid by Government of Benin. All your information's to mail the parcel to you has been given to the DHL courier company. Being that we have registered the parcel with the DHL courier company long time now, the package has accumulated a demurage of $107 usd being what is holding your parcel from getting to your house now. So i am advise you today if you really want to receive your parcel to try send this fee of $107usd today so that the parcel will leave the country first thing tomorrow morning and arrive your house address a day after tomorrow.
PAYMENT DETAILS.
Receiver Name:...Chris Mathew
City:......
Country:....
Amt: $107 usd
Yours Faithfully,
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Anti-fraud resources: