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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- uniondpt01@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "WESTERN UNION PUBLIC RELATIONS" <info@clams.com>
Reply-To: uniondpt01@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2011 03:24:17 -0000
Subject: WESTERN UNION PUBLIC RELATIONS
WESTERN UNION PUBLIC RELATIONS
22 MISSION WAY, ABUJA
NIGERIA.
I am Mrs Halley Thomson a delegate from United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC).
Your E-mail was attached to be one of the five successful claimants to be compensated.
This year 2011.
You have therefore been awarded to be compensate a lump of $750,000.00 USD.
You are also advised to provide him with the under listed information's as soon
as possible for the speedy transfer of your award prize .This is your winning
pin number XZB120964MW.Note that You are not allowed to disclose any of your winning informations,
hence somebody else will file for your claim and cheque will be delivered to such person, please
take note!
and your winning pin number for future claims:
Union Agent with details below for your Compensation payment.
Agent Name: Morgan Fatty
Email: uniondpt01@gmail.com
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