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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:
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "MRS.FLORA HAGEMAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <uzop3551@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2024 18:57:45 +0100
Subject: SCAMMED VICTIMM COMPENSATION $1MILLION BENEFICIARY.
SCAMMED VICTIMM COMPENSATION $1MILLION BENEFICIARY.
YOUR COMPENSATION FUND VALUED AT $1MILLION IS READY FOR DELIVERY.
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO SEND $250 FOR THE COURIER FEES.
SEND IT BY MONEYGRAM TO MY NAME AS STATED BELOW:
RECEIVERS NAME: FLORA HAGEMAN.
COUNTRY: BURKINA FASO.
AMOUNT: $250.
SEND YOUR CURRENT HOUSE ADDRESS WHERE THE ATM MASTER CARD WILL BE DELIVERED TO.
WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT RESPONSE.
REGARDS.
MRS.FLORA HAGEMAN
ATM CARD PAYMENT
UNIT ADB BANK
BURKINA FASO.
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Anti-fraud resources:
