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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 us 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 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 Larry Ben <patrickben393@gmail.com>
Reply-To: officefile06@mail.com
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2021 09:36:56 -0700
Subject: Ups Courier Company About Your Atm Card Parcel Worth $25 Million Us Dollars
UPS CORP0RATE HEADQUARTERS
#55 Glenlake Parkway, NE
Atlanta,GA 30328 United States
Customer Service & UPS On Call Air Pickup:
Attention Dear Customer,
I am Mr.Larry Ben from the UPS courier company and I'm writing to
inform you about your ATM Card Parcel worth $25 Million us dollars
that has arrived at our custody this morning.So this notification
E-mail has been automatically sent to notify you of this Parcel
because if the Parcel is not re-scheduled for delivery or picked up
within 72 hours, it will be returned to the sender/cancelled so Please
kindly get back to me now to enable us proceed with the shipment of
your Parcel to your Doorstep immediately.
Kindly file this information to enable us deliver your package to you,
1) Full name:____________
2) Address: _____________
3) Country:_____________
4) City: ______________
5) Telephone:______________
6) Age:_______________
7) Occupation:____________
8) Sex: _____________
Thank you.
Mr Larry Ben
UPS Postal Agent
United (States) Parcel Services (UPS)
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Anti-fraud resources:
