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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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- 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 MONEY TRANSFER" <info@wumt.com>
Reply-To: westernunionmoneytransfer13@yahoo.cn
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:55:56 -0700 (MST)
Subject: UNCC PAYMENT!
Dear UNCC Beneficiary,
On behalf of the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) in
affiliation with Western Union Campaign for Global Economic Crisis
eradication, we wish to notify you that your E-mail Address has won you
$1.400,000,00USD (One million Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
in the UNCC 2012 Ongoing Lottery Jackpot.
For security reasons and proper verification you are to provide the
details below for claim.
Receiver's Full Name:....
Home Address/Country:....
Telephone Number: .......
Occupation:..............
Note: All participants were selected through their internet around the
Globe from over 25,000 internet websites.
Congratulate you once again on your winnings.
Customer Service
Mrs. Brenda Ortiz.
®Western Union Payment Coordinator NG
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Anti-fraud resources:
