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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- wk574561@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms.Kristalina Georgieva" <fredamaku@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wk574561@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 9 May 2022 04:45:34 -0700
Subject: REF#: {IMF/WDC/XX021/0321}
IMF Headquarters (Washington, DC)
U.S.A
This is to inform you that your inheritance/compensation Fund of
(US$15.5 Million) has been approved on ATM VISA CARD payment for
safety delivery, we have successfully registered the ATM visa card
under courier Company service with this REFERENCE
NUMBER:{IMF/WDC/XX021/0321} for identification purposes.
Kindly take note of this important information below;
The VAT and STAMP duty charge of $30.00 USD must be paid,it's very
important due to the content of the ATM VISA CARD parcel.
Please Indicate this REFERENCE NUMBER:{IMF/WDC/XX021/0321} when
replying and ask Mr.Williams Ken, to direct you where to send them the
VAT and STAMP duty fee of $30.00 payment. Make sure you forward your
details to this Contact email:{ wk574561@gmail.com }
1) YOUR FULL NAMES:....
2) DELIVERY ADDRESS:...
3) COUNTRY:..
4) PHONE NUMBER:..
5) WHATS APP NUMBER:....
5) YOUR NEAREST AIRPORT:..
6) DRIVER'S LICENSE ID OR PASSPORT COPY.
Don'f forget to Furnish them with your Address and Phone number for
your ATM card safety delivery.
You should hurry up as your ATM card parcel might incur demur-rages of
security keeping fee $10 daily after 2 days according to Courier
Service company.
Regards,
Ms.Kristalina Georgieva
IMF Managing Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
