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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- transfermoney801@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Bocco Jean" <gjohnson22122@gmail.com>
Reply-To: transfermoney801@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2022 03:56:07 -0800
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF WESTERN UNION REMITTANCE DEPT Our WRef:WUMT0XX2/987
FROM THE DESK OF WESTERN UNION REMITTANCE DEPT Our WRef:WUMT0XX2/987
WEB SITE. www.westernunion.com
We wish to announce to you that your first approved payment of
$5,000.00 is available to add your name for immediate pickup in your
name today and Here is the information; MTCN #: 480-176-5006 and you
can track it now with this link:
https://www.westernunion.com/global-service/tracktransfer
I told him to keep sending you $ 5,000.00 daily until the Government
Compensation payment of ($1,200,000.00 usd dollars) is completed
transfer to you and again forward them your telephone number and
address so that they will be sure it is you.
Your payment information is below.
MTCN #: 480-176-5006
Amount: $ 5,000
Receiver: ******not added
Question: Transfer code
Answer: EB2520
Your full details is needed to add on the payment for pick up are?
Full Names.................
Your contact address..........
Your personal telephone number.......
Your Date of birth.................
Your Occupation....................
Your Passport photographs attach copy or any of your valid Identity.
Contact the payment officer to activate the payment code EB2520 with
$105 and add your name as the receiver to enable you start receiving
your payment $5000 every day.
The first $5000 is available as you track it but if you fail to comply
within 48 hours the payment will be cancelled and to avoid been
hijacked.
Urgently contact the payment department as I directed you and send
your full information to him.
Contact Person: Mr Nelson Richard
E-mail transfermoney801@gmail.com
Phone> +229 53994694
Thanks and hope to read from you soon as you have receive the first
payment.
Regards.
Dr.Bocco Jean
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Anti-fraud resources:
