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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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 courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "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.
- 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.
- thomaswalter1717@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Thomas Walter" <infoseci72@gmail.com>
Reply-To: thomaswalter1717@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2021 04:18:12 -0800
Subject: my subject
For your kind attention
I am a Systems Engineer on foreign assignment to Gatwick London England by the request of British authorities . I am presently attached to Gatwick International Airport here in London. My primary assignment includes to install security equipment and improve on security Networks at all Britain Airports. I am also presently assigned with the duties of inspecting all diplomatic consignments and related luggage belonging to Government of Nations which are arriving the shores of Britain with sophiscated equipments.
My Intelligence Security Network Apparatus has foiled attempt by some Syndicates who work with some Banks within Europe, America, Asia and Middle East inconjection with some corrupt officials to divert a huge amount of fund in cash valued Millions of USD in bank save containers using Diplomatic Courier Services Company. My personal preliminary investigations certified that you are the original owner of the fund/consignee as documented from the source of origin. Please confirm to me immediately if you have any Missing/Underlivered consignment or uncompleted funds transfer due to unusual request of outrageous charges from corrupt officials. I need your urgent response to this notification to enable me take the next line of actions in this matter. But be assured that if you have any uncompleted fund transfer or undelivered luggage/consignment, it is very save and secured in our facility and would be unconditionally released to you after matters have been cleared and regularized.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas Walter
Email : thomaswalter1717@gmail.com
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