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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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "stay blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Patrick Hovakimian" <support@myindiafood.in>
Reply-To: johnbill.cbp@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:59:27 -0800
Subject: Claim Your Abandoned Winning Funds Text or call at +1 (832)
429-7108!info@decentshops.com
Attn Dear Beneficiary,
My name is Mr. John Bill, I am the Border Patrol Agent (BPA, in control of every outgoing and incoming luggage at Dulles Airport in Washington DC VA. The USA. I hereby enlighten you that your consignment box worth 5 Million USD has come to my desk because you do not have the delivery permit & Non-Inspection order from the U.S Customs & Border Protection (C.B.P).
I hereby advise you to kindly follow our monetary policy which required you to pay for the acquiring (1) Delivery Permit, and (2) Non-Inspection certificate that will enable the U.S Customs and Border Protection to release your box for immediate delivery to your residential address. You will secure the required documents with the help of this office otherwise it will cost you an additional fee for an attorney representative.
Kindly provide us with the following information for security verification!!
1. Your Full name. 2. Your Phone number. 3. Your Current home address 4. Your Nearest Airport..... 5. Your Id Copy License. 6. Your Occupation 7. Marital Status
Stay blessed as I'll be looking forward to receiving your immediate positive response with the information required.
Best Regards,
Mr. John Bill.
Text or call at +1 (832) 429-7108.
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Anti-fraud resources:
