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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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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: =?utf-8?B?TXJzLkFiZWxsYSDDiWRpdGg=?= <mrsdouglas979@gmail.com>
Reply-To: =?utf-8?B?TXJzLkFiZWxsYSDDiWRpdGg=?= <www.west-union2070@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2015 03:31:54 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good Day Dear Customer.
Good Day Dear Customer.
Â
Â
This is to inform you that the America Embassy here in Benin in conjunction with Global Economic Recovery programs (GERP) USA and Economic Community of West-African States has instructed to transfer the sum of $4,500,000.00( FOUR Million FIVE hundred ) compensating all the SCAM VICTIMS and your email was found as one of the THREE VICTIMS TO Â COMPENSATE , By America security leading team and America representative officers so for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving starting from today is $5000 USD in Seven(7) different payments in a day till your total funds of $4,500,000.00 is complete transferred to you and we have been instructed to send you the first payment of $5000 USD today through our payment system.
You are to contact Western Union for your payment of USD$4,500.000.00 USD with the below information’s.Â
FULL NAMEÂ
CONTACT ADDRESS
DIRECT PHONE CELL NUMBER Â for easy communication
Send the above listed information’s to the Fund Verification Department Office on the information below:Â
Contact Person: Mr.Nelson Emile
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 Transferring Bank.While emailing kindly use reference number 859.560.332 for our mutual convenience.I will advise that you to email Mr. Nelson Emile on receipt of this mail to facilitate your transfer.Â
Best RegardsÂ
Mrs.Abella Édith
Western Union Money Transfer®Â
Western Union® welcoming you to our WorldÂ
Send and Receive Money Worldwide.
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