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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. )
- "consignment " (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: "MR.PARKER PETER" <fedexcompanyofficers@gmail.com>
Reply-To: newyorkorder221@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 6 May 2021 05:15:58 -0700
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION CUSTOM AUTHORITY
--
URGENT ATTENTION CUSTOM AUTHORITY
This is to inform you that your CONSIGNMENT BOX of $10.6Million USA
Dollars we stop now from delivering to your home address, you are to
pay $150 for CUSTOM CLARENCE certificate. Attach is your copy of your
CONSIGNMENT BOX,
We expect to hear from you with the Western Union or Money Gram
payment information only if you are willing to pay the fee of $150.00
for the CUSTOM CLEARANCE and receive your $10.6Million US Send the fee
via western union transfer or money gram.
RECEIVERS NAME:....EMBER DAN
RECEIVERS ADDRESS: CITY : ATLANTA,GEORGIA
COUNTRY: .......USA
SENDERS NAME:...........
AMOUNT: ..........$150
M.T.C.N NUMBER:.......
SENDER'S NAME:.............
SENDER'S ADDRESS:.........
Remember to send your Full Delivery information to avoid any mistake
or wrong Delivery such as,
Full name:
Address:
City:
State:
Country:
Telephone Number:
Nationality:
Your Next Of Kin:
sex:
age:
Attach copy of your ID:
Note, you have only 24 hours to pay the fee or your fund will be
transfer to Government Treasure as on unclaimed fund. Get Back to us,
Text or call MR.PARKER PETER at .+1352 269 3155
MR.PARKER PETER
Custom on Duty
USA CUSTOM
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Anti-fraud resources:
