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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:
- "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. )
- "clifford.wells@outlook.com" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "CLIFFORD WELLS." <"WWW."@gamma.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: CLIFFORD WELLS <clifford.wells@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2017 00:27:37 +0900 (JST)
Subject: YOUR MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO PICK UP AT ANY MONEY GRAM OFFICE.
YOUR MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO PICK UP AT ANY MONEY GRAM OFFICE.
The first payment of your compensation fund has been sent today via MONEY GRAM now to pick up your first payment of $5000.00 usd, we will continue sending your money until your total amount of 2.8mlusd is completed. So via any MONEY GRAM office now to pick up your first payment of $5000.00usd now, after that you can get back to me now for your second transfer I am waiting to hear from you as soon as you pick up your first payment, you can call me for your second transfer by emailing our head office or you can call our office money transfer line Email (clifford.wells@outlook.com) Text this number (715)575-7678
Here is the information to pick up your first payment track it now and go and pick up your first payment of $5000.00.
Money Reference Number (REF): 31059411
Sender's First Name: ALLEN
Sender's Last Name: CALDWELL
Text Question: IN GOD
Text Answer: WE TRUST
AMOUNT :$5000USD
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Anti-fraud resources:
