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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: king terry <yourmoneyinoffice@gmail.com>
Reply-To: revfatherkingterry@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2021 06:33:25 +0100
Subject: Urgent Attention Dear beneficiary
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USA CUSTOM AUTHORITY
This is to inform you that your ATM card of $9.5 Million USA Dollars
we stop now from delivering to your home address, you are to pay $50
for Custom stamp and clearance certificate. Attach is your copy of
your ATM card.but first of all you have to reconfirm me your full
information such as
Your full name:::::::::::
Age:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Occupation::::::::::::::::::
Phone number:::::::::::::
Home address::::::::::::::
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 me the required information here
purchase iTunes gift card of $50 then scratched it and send me the
picture immediately
Mr. KING TERRY
Custom on Duty
USA CUSTOM
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Anti-fraud resources:
