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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "FEDERAL RESERVE BANK" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sandrawilson34345@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2017 05:43:36 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS!!PAYMENT NOTIFICATION of $22.5m green
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
33 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10045
Tel:+(646-628-9389)
Atten:Beneficiary,
The Federal Reserve Bank hereby contact you in regards to the ongoing transaction of $22.5m.We have told you many times to get the documents needed for the released of $22.5m into your account but till this moment never heard from you .Even your representatives are contacting us daily stating that you have given them the Power Of Attorney to claim the funds on your behalf.
Its important you note that the said funds has been loaded in ATM VISA Card with a daily withdrawal limits of $20,000.The ATM VISA card will be delivered to you by the courier company once you pay the delivery fee of $275.
Also you will be provided with the 4 Digits Pin CODE for the withdrawal of the funds.
You are to send the $275 to the courier company for the delivery of the ATM VISA Card by Money Gram or Western Union to the details below:
NAME OF RECEIVER:EMMA OLAWALE
LOCATION:LAGOS NIGERIA
ZIP CODE:23401
10 DIGITS MCTN NUMBER:
Awaiting your urgent response.
Scott Anderson
Senior Personal Assistance
Chairman Board of Governors,
Federal Reserve Bank
Tel:+(646-628-9389)
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Anti-fraud resources:
