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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "a security company " (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. )
- "million us 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Micheal Woley" <info@info.com>
Reply-To: woleymsurefugg@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 15:40:18 -0500
Subject: please help me
hello
hope is well with you and family, there is something I need to tell you
now.My name Micheal Woley It's about my family background My late dad
Woley was a Minister of Road and Housing in Uganda but am currently in
west africa Ghana, where my dad was arrested for embezzlement......He
died in jail. But he was able to save a box containing 3.5million US
Dollars in a Security Company here saved as a family treasure......He had
wanted to send it to a foreign partner abroad and he met his untimely
death in Jail...Now that my dad is gone, I have been thinking to tell you
when we first met and i don't know you very much so as now i have see you
will be my true love as you will receive the funds. Now I have 100% trust
for you...And want to discuss this with you. I want you to stand as the
beneficiary of the...
Box in the Security Company... I have all the necessary
document covering the box in the security company. The
security Company don't know the content of the Box....So that
U will receive the Box safely. Are you willing to stand for
me as the beneficiary honey? Because I don't want it to get
expired honey...Honey it's a Diplomatic man bringing the box
to you there is nothing about money laundering....I
understand your point honey but all what you have to do now
is trust me.....This is nothing bad honey...Once again it's a
Diplomatic man bringing the Box, no body has the right to
open the box but you....I will not do anything to get you
into jail the what will become of me a widow?....As soon as
You get the Box
thanks and may God bless you.
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