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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Louis Dejoy <lindamcrochet@gmail.com>
Reply-To: uspcouriercompany918@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2021 01:14:13 -0800
Subject: ATTENTION: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED.
This is to inform you that your package was deposited here
yesterday for delivery to your home address and we have done
everything possible regarding your delivery. please we will need the
following info from you.
Your full name......
Your address.....
Your phone no.......
Your nearest airpot.......
Your identity,copy of passport or drivers license. You will pay the
courier and admin charge of $25 dollars also $25 dollars for insurance
which is $50 all together, the packages has to be issued.these above
is all we need from you to send your consignment package to your door
step without any further delay. Note your payment total funds is $10.5
million dollars and we shall give you a tracking number to trace your
package once it's mailed to you. I await your reply and call.
Thank you
Mr. Richard Mark
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Anti-fraud resources:
