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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. )
- "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)
- "kentexman3@helixnet.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.
- 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" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kentexman3@helixnet.cn>
Date: Sat, 26 May 2012 20:54:34 -0600
Subject: GET YOUR PAYMENT NOW
ATTENTION: DEAR CUSTOMER
Track your money first
www.westernunion.com
How are you today together with your family I’m very happy to inform you that your full compensation payment of $900,000.00USD has been deposited at the Western UnionWe have notify the regional manager to send you the MTCN only for you to verify but we will not give you the test questions and answer until you provide the requested payment of $255 for transfer fee so that we can swing into action to complete your transfer.
Our regional manager has assigned new details for you. You are to visit our website for tracking your MTCN.
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global
MTCN: 1202244871
Sender's First Name: OBINNA
Sender's Last Name: MMADUEKE
BELOW IS THE WESTERN UNION PAYMENT INFORMATION.
Receiver Name......Precious Edokpolor
Country...............Nigeria
City.............Abuja
Question...............good
Answer......................for you
AMOUNT............$255 USD
SENDER'S NAME..................
MTCN.........................
Status: Available for pick up by receiver. (To Pick Up By You) Please let us know when you will remit the payment of $255 so that we can send u the details for remitting the payment to us.
Am waiting your urgent response.
Regards
Mr. Ken Texman
+234-805 159 9255
E-mail: kentexman3@helixnet.cn
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