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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 beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- fedexexpresscouriercompany21@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Michael Edward" <nemani.tukunia@postfiji.com.fj>
Reply-To: fedexexpresscouriercompany21@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 03:52:00 -0700
Subject: Good news dear beneficiary,
Dear beneficiary,
How are you doing today?
I am writing to inform you that after a brief meeting being held on
Monday 27th of March 2023 by board of directors of this company,
they have brought down the cost of the keeping fee of all the parcels
and packages that still remain undelivered to the owners in this
company of which your own was among, therefore I am writing to inform
you that we are waiting to hear from you so that we can discuss and
send you an information to send us the little keeping fee that is
holding your package now in our custody, so the we can move forward to
complete the delivery of your parcel.
I am waiting urgently to hear from you as soon as you receive this
message and also reconfirm your delivery address including your
telephone number.
Regards
Mr.Michael Edward.
FedEx Courier agent
Contact email: fedexexpresscouriercompany21@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
