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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. )
- "million dollars" (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: Miss Cynthia Morgan <julietbrahim77@gmail.com>
Reply-To: cynthinamorgan65@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2021 13:57:32 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS 2021
Western Union Payments
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE United States of American
Attention: Go pick up your Payment
Board of directors said that since you refused to pay the $50 to pick
your $5:5million Dollars with this AVAILABLE (M.T.C.N): # 342-398-6721
Sender's Name: STEPHEN KRUEGER
Senders Country United States of American
Amount: Sent $5:5million Dollars
Text question___When
(M.T.C.N): # 342-398-6721
Available, Amount: $5:5million Dollars
Address: 6603 S Queen St BR 74115
You can track it with this link
wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global
Your payment will be canceled on December because you think we are
joking by this time around. So Try to make your payment now. Which is
going to cost you 💲200 dollar bills for you to get it .
Thanks Cythina Morgan Office
International Money Transfers | Western Union IE
wumt.westernunion.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
