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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. )
- "million us 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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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 OFFICE <boinfow@gmail.com>
Reply-To: WESTERN UNION OFFICE <unionwestern54@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2015 16:19:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Congratulation
>From The Western Union Cash Transfer Send Money World Wide.
Congratulation To You Beneficiary,
This is to let you know that we finally concluded to effect your compensation winning prize payment of $2.5 Million US Dollars via western union transfer as the best and easy way to transfer your fund at any nearest western union office in your country is the best and easy way to transfer your fund, well based on my agreement with the western union management,
The amount will receiving every day is $70,000 dollars until your total amount of your fund is completely transferring to you, I want you to respond back immediately you receive this message for your transfer.
Your first Payment has been sent this payment was directed to be made available in your full information immediately you reconfirmed your full information as the following below
Your Full Name:. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Home Address:. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Country/ City:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Age:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Sex:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Direct Phone Number:. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your ID copy:. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your fund amount deposited in western union office is Two Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars, Remember to indicate the registration code of EB8053 when replying.
Remain Bless
Yours Sincerely
Mr. William Cole.
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