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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. )
- 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: "From Debt Reconciliation Office" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristerlarrygold001@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:12:25 -0700
Subject: From Debt Reconciliation Office
>From Debt Reconciliation Office
Review unit EFCC
Tel: +234 8108225411
This is to inform you that arrangement is going on to ensure quick and smooth release of this US$10.5M in your favor.You are requested to send $75.00 for renewal of your transfer file which will facilitate immediate conclusion of this payment of US$10.5M in your favor.The only thing causing delay and hindrance in releasing this US$10.5M in your favor is the required fee, note your fund will be released once you comply to the tone of this mail.your over due payment is ready to be released in your favor, and also note Government has placed transfer Seal in your payment so all that is required to release this US$10.5M is the needed fee you are ask to send.On behalf of my Government i urge you to send this fee immediately you receive this mail to empower my Government grant this seal to be effective which will permit United States Authorities to released the approved fund to you in the next 24 banking-hours after you send the needed US$75.00 .Federal Governm
ent is here to re-assure you tha
BELOW IS THE INFORMATION YOU WILL USE TO SEND THE FEE VIA WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER:
Name Of Reciever:................. Daniel Gongoaso
Receiver Address:..........................Lagos-Nigeria.
Amount:.................................$75
Text Question:..................In God ?
Answer:..................We Trust
M.T.C.N:.................................
Sender's Name..................
Sender's Address.......................
send the mtcn as soon as the fee is sent and reconfirm your information for urgent release of US$10.5M to take place immediately. also if you want this US$10.5M to be released to you via ATM CARD kindly reconfirm your mailing address. but you if prefer bank to bank transfer you are to reconfirm your banking details.
Thanks
Barry Larry Gold
For: Reconciliation Office Review unit EFCC
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Anti-fraud resources:
