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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:
- "@diplomats.com" ("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.
- allensmith@diplomats.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Allen Smith <mauriziodecaprio3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: diplomatallen183@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2021 13:11:18 +0000
Subject: package
Dear Customer,
This is to remind you of your package with us, we have sent you several
mail and the mail keep on coming back as undelivered.
Your package is ready to be delivered. You have to confirm your last name
and first name for us to verify your details and also send your telephone
number with which we can reach you incase we will need further details to
confirm your booking for delivery.
Attached in this mail is a copy of the signed and sealed document to
confirm your package is ready for delivery to final recipient (you).
Looking forward to a prompt response from you.
Mrs. Elena Fabio
For: Allen Smith
(Delivery Agent)
Email: allensmith@diplomats.com
Call to confirm
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Anti-fraud resources:
