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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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: "Mr.Zuman Balanji" <balanjizuman32@yahoo.com.vn>
Reply-To: oficewestern@live.fr
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:53:18 -1200
Subject: YOUR PAYMENT $1.200,000.00 USD
Dear Friend,
There is an issue involving $1.2M USD which was called to Our Bank(CAPITAL
CITY BANK) Eco-Bank from THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE OF BENIN REPUBLIC
concerning your compensation of $1.200,000.00 USD has been forwarded to
Western Union Money Transfer and An instruction has come directly from Mr.Jona
Akim of Ministry Of Finance.
He asked us to start sending your fund installmentally $5000 per a day through
western union money transfer.This type of transfer means you will be receiving
$5000 every day through western union until the to tal of $1.2MUSD is
completely transfered to you.
Our bank has to proceed to effect your first payment of $5000 through western
union. Now you have to Contact Mr Paddy Morries for your transfer.
The Western union Information
Mr Paddy Morries;
E-mail : oficewestern@live.fr
Phone:+229 6844-4195
Remember that they will ask you for this details,so funish them with.
Your Full name:..............
Your Phone number:..................
Your Contact address:...................
Country: ................
Your Age:............
Occupation:..............
Av Copy of Your Identification............
Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr. Paddy
Morris he will start sending your payment through their western union service
so call him as soon as you send him email to enable him proceed your
transfer today.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Mr.Zuman Balanji
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Anti-fraud resources:
