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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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Western Union®" <WesternUnion@cobalt1.data-center.gr>
Reply-To: westernunniontransfer@e-mail.ua
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 23:54:50 +0300
Subject: From Western Union Money Transfer
Western Union payment
Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Good day;
I wish to inform you that your outstanding debt has been scheduled for
immediate payment to you Via Western Union Money Transfer . You are to
contact Western Union for your payment of USD$1,500.000.00 USD with the
below information’s.
FULL NAME:......................
CONTACT ADDRESS:................
DIRECT PHONE/CELL NUMBER………………. (for easy communication)
Send the above listed information’s to the Fund Verification Department
Office on the information below:
Contact Person: Mrs.Rosemary Geoffrey
Mobile: +23470 8143 5303
E-mail: (westernunniontransfer@e-mail.ua)
As soon as this information is received and you have complied with the
requirements of payment of the western union charges your payment will
be made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from
The Western Union Transfering Bank.While emailing kindly use reference
number 250-153 for our mutual convenience.I will advise that you call
Mrs.Rosemary on her phone (+23470 8143 5303) on receipt of this mail to
facilitate your transfer.
Best Regards
Mr.Leo Harrison.
Western Union Money Transfer®
Western Union® welcoming you to our World
Send and Receive Money Worldwide.
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