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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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Alex Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wupayy@vf.vc>
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 05:17:41 -0700
Subject: Attention Please.Call For Your $5000 usd +229 99571490
Attention Please.
I am very happy to inform you that your fund of $1.500.000.00Usd which you was
strugling to receive since has been approved today and the payment will be made
to you through Western Union Money Transfer Benin Republic.
Then according the Western Union Transfer rules and regulations you will only
pay the sum of $75 USD for the signing of your payment deposite Certificate
which was approved by the Federal Government Benin Republic.
This is the only opportunity you have to claim your fund from africa here and
am here to make sure that the transfer is well done once you pay the $75 USD.So
i want you to contact the Western Union Office immediately with below
information.
WESTER UNION MANAGER...Mrs Linda Obi
EMAIL= (wupayy@vf.vc)
PHONE NUMBER +229 99571490
Please don't allow this golden opportunity to pass you by.
Regards.
Mr Alex Williams.
Federal Government
Payment Contractor
Benin Republic.
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Anti-fraud resources:
