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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:
- "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. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Usha Martin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mailman@driverandnanny.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:33:04 -1200
Subject: CAN YOU MAIL OUT 100 ENVELOPES A DAY!!!
Hello Applicant,
we are a company that conduct surveys and evaluate other companies.Once we have a contract to do so,we direct our agents to the company or outlet, and they will be given the funds to carry out the job (either purchase things or require services),
Your job will be to mail out envelopes (payment slips) to our Agents using FedEx Courier all over the U.S. We will provide you with a FedEx account and you need to locate FedEx drop boxes in your area.Our candidate must have privacy where he stays because the payment slips are highly confidential(situation of loss will not be accepted). We will pay wages every 2 weeks and it will be sent via western union transfer.We are paying $150 weekly to send out mails.The slips will be sent to you via FedEx. Ink and other items will be provided. You need the items below to carry out your job.
(1) A computer with internet connection
(2) A Typewriter
We need you to get back to us with the details below,
First Name :
Last Name :
Address : (NO PO BOX )
City:
Zip Code :
Email :
Nationality :
Sex :
Age :
Phone number :
Present Occupation :
Means of communication will be via Phone and email.
John Forte
mailman@driverandnanny.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
