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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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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: "Elizabeth Smith" <info@usa.org>
Reply-To: responsemoneytransfer101@outlook.fr
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2021 10:21:50 -0700
Subject: 5000$ First Payment Release
The Official notification is to draw your attention that we have concluded to effect your compensation payment through Western Union money transfer method and you will be receiving the sum of $ 5000 daily until the total sum of US $ 7.5Milion is completely transferred to you. Meanwhile our office has already sent you the first payment of $ 5000 today.
Therefore, you are advice to contact our director of foreign remittance department Herbert Edward by replying to this email address "responsemoneytransfer101@outlook.fr" and ask him to give you the Western Union reference number and other senders details which will enable you to pick your first payment at any Western Union office nearest to you. Kindly contact our Director of foreign remittance department with this email address: responsemoneytransfer101@outlook.fr, . You can also reach him through the telephone numbers stated below.
CONTACT PERSON: HERBERT EDWARD
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: responsemoneytransfer101@outlook.fr
TELEPHONE: + 229 613 14 823.
Ask him to give you the Western Union payment reference number together with the sender's details to enable you to pick your first payment of 5000 without any delay. Also you should forward to him your personal details as required below to enable him locate your payment record and give you the payment details to pick up your first payment today
1. Your Full Name....?
2. Address.......?
3. Mobile Number.....?
4. Your Age.....?
5. Country....?
6. occupation....?
Contact him now with your personal details so that he will provide you with the Western Union payment details which you need to pick your first payment at any Western Union branch located around you
Thanks yours,
"Elizabeth Smith
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