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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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "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)
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "headquater" (this email uses bad English)
- "johnjames@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Western Union" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnjames@w.cn>
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:13:30 +0100
Subject: YOUR WESTERN UNION MTCN PAYMENT RECONCILIATION CALL UP +23418508429
Dear Customer,
Since I have Successfully succeeded in transfering the USD$7.5 Million Dollars to Finland i did not forget your efforts in the past therefore i left an instruction to Dr.John B.James Director of the Western Union Money Transfer to send to you the USD$7.5 Million being your own compensation via western union money transfer in the ratio of USD$7,500 every day until the full amount is completed.
Today the western union headquater has started making the first payment of usd$7,500 in your favour with the following payment details:
SENDER'S NAME:ELLIOT SMITH
MTCN:2463567XXX
AMOUNT:USD$7,500.
COUNTRY SENT FROM:U.K
As soon as you received this message you are advise to contact Dr.John James on with the following information.
Name of Officer incharge:
NAME:Dr.John James
Telephone:+234-18508429
Email:johnjames@w.cn
Kindly demand for the last three digit number and also for the activation of your Full name to the MTCN number for immediate pick up within 1hr.
Meanwhile you are to reconfirm the following details to Dr.John James
1)Your direct telephone number
2)A copy of your international passport or driving licence.
3)Your full residential address.
Your's sincerely
Supol Sandra phils
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Anti-fraud resources:
