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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- unitedstatesheadoffice789@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: United Nations Special Agent <saheed.tunder@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bamerican853@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 01:41:05 +0100
Subject: UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL AGENT
--
COMPENSATION PAYMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023:
REPLY TO( unitedstatesheadoffice789@gmail.com )
We are sorry that we made this contact via email as we were unable to
reach you.
My name is Mrs helen hudson Secretary of the United Nations. a meeting
was held on your behalf by the just graduated 73rd General of
the United Nations Gathering in UN/IMF countries on unclaimed
funds which was denied to many people around the world. as Your
funds will be released to you from the paying bank for immediate payment.
It has been discovered during this meeting that you have not been paid
as your name and some informations was approved among the
qualified citizenship who are to receive a compensation payment of the
year 2023 as it has been approved to release the sum of $5 million
dollars to you only.
which you dont have to pay any fees as the transaction will be processed quickly
with no payment required according to the bank instructions. no payment will be
requested from you.
We have instructions to release your payment to you. Please forward
Your
1. Your full names.
2. Your address.
3. your whatsapp number.
4. Your age.
5. Your occupation.
Please email us on this (unitedstatesheadoffice789@gmail.com ) to receive
an instant reply
MRS HELEN HUDSON
SEC. GENERAL UNITED NATIONS
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Anti-fraud resources: