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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- 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.
- aneme112@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: inforlane <mentoff111222@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mentoff111222@citromail.hu
Date: Mon, 10 May 2021 05:55:29 -0700
Subject: International Airport California to take care of Delivery that we
have in here Before coming to your address for your delivery.
Attention Dear,
I am Mr.James Greene a diplomatic agent convey to deliver your package
valued the sum of $7.5Million United States Dollars and i am here to
inform you about my successful Arrival in San Francisco International
Airport California with your package i am currently in San Francisco
International Airport California to take care of Delivery that we have
in here Before coming to your address for your delivery.
Be advice to reconfirm to me the following information’s to enable me
deliver your package to you Please do contact me ASAP.
YOUR FULL NAME: ==================
ADDRESS: ===============
YOUR DIRECT MOBILE NO.:=============
NAME OF YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT:========
A COPY OF YOUR
IDENTIFICATION: ===============
I am waiting for your response once you have receive my Email me at
(aneme112@aol.com) With your full information to avoid wrong
delivery.
Thanks.
Diplomat James Greene
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Anti-fraud resources:
