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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:
- "the 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)
- "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 united states 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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "contact the diplomat" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "phili46@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Sandra Williams <auwalsaboharuna0@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Sand1920@outlook.com
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2022 23:43:55 -0700
Subject: GOOD NEWS
--
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
5th Floor, Broad, 14 Broad St,
Lagos island
Attention: Beneficiary,
We wish to inform you that the diplomatic agent conveying the
consignment box valued the sum of $16.5 Million United States Dollars
misplaced your address and he is currently stranded at your
International airport now. We required you reconfirm the following
information below so that he can deliver your consignment box to you
today.
NAME:==================
COUNTRY:================
CITY:==================
HOME ADDRESS: ===============
MOBILE NO.:=============
NAME OF YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT:========
A COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION :===============
Please do contact the diplomatic agent with the email below with the
information required. Contact Person : Mr. Phillip Cook EMAIL;(
Phili46@outlook.com ) He is waiting to hear from you today with the
information.
NOTE : The Diplomatic agent does not know that the content
of the consignment box is $16.5 Millions United States Dollars and on
no circumstances should you let him know the content. The consignments
was moved from here as family treasures, so never allow him to open
the box.
Best Regards,
Mrs. Sandra Williams
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