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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:
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Douglas Mohamed <ebeljim775@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ddeliveryagent078@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:11:57 +0100
Subject: PICK UP YOUR ATM CARD
GOOD NEWS. This message is coming from United Nation in UK????. Am
hereby to inform you about your fund total £15.5Million, from United
Nation. i am your diplomatic agent Mr Mohamed Douglas by Name, i left
United Kingdom???? Last week, am currently at
Midway Chicago International Airport United States of America
get Back to me with your full names and address today for a safe
delivery of your fund in a consignment box, reconfirm the following
info below to me.
i wait your response.
RECONFIRM
Your full name....
Yourphone number.....
Delivery address........
Nearest Airport ........
Country and States..
email address
Thanks and God bless you
Best Regard
Mr Douglas Mohamed
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Anti-fraud resources:
