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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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.
- 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: "asabegambo@gmail.com" <westernunionmoney2135@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: "asabegambo@gmail.com" <asabegambo@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:02:27 +0100 (BST)
Subject: I decide to contact you after my prayers
Dear Friend,
Â
I am very sorry for the late information, it was that I lost your information when trying to delete all our past communication with you during the transaction, I thank you for your concerned and your kind heart to assist me for the transfer but since it does not work out between us I decided to compensate you for your past effort, after having the fund transfer with the help of another person.
Presently I’m no more in the country as I have travel with my partner for investment abroad and I have already deposited the sum of $300,000.00 USD to the western union money transfer for your sake.
Now you have to contact the western union with your receiving information through the below contact information to enable them realise the money to you.
Western Union Service Department.
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Ouagadougou Burkina Faso, BF 20520
Contact Person:Â Mr.Ossia C. Matthew
Email: (info@western.union.unit.int.tc )
Â
I will give you my new email contact as soon as I settle down here and I hope to meet you some day.
Â
May God bless you more
Mr William
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Anti-fraud resources:
