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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "demurrage " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
- gd-alliance@post.com (Post; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "GD-Alliance" <tests@FestivalsKometa.com>
Reply-To: GD-Alliance@post.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2022 15:31:58 -0700
Subject: PLEASE CONFIRM RECEIPT !!!
GD-ALLIANCE COURIER SERVICE INTERNATIONAL
(REG ORDER NO: GDA/ 9420X2/68)
http://www.gdalliance.com/Static/Default.aspx
Emails : GD-Alliance@post.com OR info@gd-alliance.co.cc
Dear Sir/Madam,
How are you today? I believe God that you are doing great and keeping safe from the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is to confirm that we have taken custody of your consignment/package from the Central Bank of Nigeria {CBN} for delivery to your address once we have your confirmation. For record purposes your consignment/package contains a Bank ATM Card with some Bank classified documents.
For prompt delivery and to avoid undue demurrage it is highly recommended you accord us your authentic/confirmable receiving address and your valued contact telephone/whatsapp number, a valued copy of your ID shall be required by the delivery officer once he gets to your address.
Do not hesitate to call on receipt of this message should you have any questions.
Yours in service,
Mr. Lucas Dagogo.
E-mail: info@gd-alliance.co.cc
E-mail: GD-Alliance@post.com
Manager, Customer Service.
GD-ALLIANCE COURIER SERVICE INTERNATIONAL IN CONJUNCTION WITH CBN AND OTHER NIGERIAN BANKS IN PARTNERSHIP.
A division of Computer Networking Services (CNS). Copyright © 2022.GDA. All Rights Reserved.
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