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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "courier company" (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.
- couriecompany@email.com (Email; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Office File <couriecompany@email.com>
Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:37:22 +0800
Subject: Notification of Your Compensation Fund.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HEADQUARTER
Address: Central Intelligence Agency
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20505
Attention, please!!!
We have registered your package of(US$10.5Million Dollars) with FedEx Express Courier Company with
registration code of
FedEx/REG/NO/{0609} please Contact them with your delivery information such as:
Your name____________
Delivery Address:____
Country______________
Phone Number:________
Your ID Card_________
Now you advise to contact FedEx manager Mr.Mooney Michael Lee immediately through this contact
information below;
Name:...:(Mr. Michael Lee)
E-mail:..:(couriecompany@email.com)
Tel:..:+1(202)599-5686
We have paid for the Insurance & Delivery fee. The only fee you have to pay is their Security fee
of $350 USD only.
Please contact the FedEx Express Courier Company manager Mr. Mooney Michael Lee very urgent for
delivering of your package, call him immediately and ask him how much is their Security fee so
that you can pay and receive your ATM package immediately without any kind of delay, and for your
information, that is the only thing holding you to receive your package.
Mr. William J. Burns
Electronic division agent
The Attorney-general of the United States
Official notification by the CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY of Investigation Washington DC
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Anti-fraud resources:
