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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:
- "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)
- "million 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)
- "courier service" (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: "Inspection Unit Officer" <info@admin.com>
Reply-To: johnson64alex@gmail.com
Date: 17 Jul 2021 13:53:24 -0700
Subject: IN YOUR OWN BEST INTEREST, URGENTLY ADDRESS THIS MAIL!!!
Hello,I trust this meet you well today.
The information reaching us from the Storage Unit states and I
quote “Be aware that due to your delay in claiming your funds
therein the Consignment Box sum $10.5 Million Dollars, your funds
will be confiscated and donated to the charity organization in
the next 48 hours so if you know you are still interested in your
fund kindly get back to me so i can help you to claim your fund.
This is the information at our disposal. Kindly adhere strictly
and do the needful in order for your funds to be released to you
without any further delay.
Treat as top urgent.
Best Regards,
Johnson Alex
Inspection Unit Officer
Broadefest Courier Service.
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Anti-fraud resources:
