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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.
- +447031933729 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Wood" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alexwood861@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:19:57 +0100
Subject: Reply
Dear sir,
Based on the arrangement made for the released of your fund, be advised that we want to bring to your notice that a draft of $5.5m has being issued on your name and will be delivered to you from our financial agent in your country.
We also want you to know that this transaction is kept on a full confidential arrangement because we have confirmed that several times you have tried to receive your fund but the people, i mean those you call your partners always try to divert it.
If you in anyway disclose this concrete arrangement to anyone else this fund will be cancelled, the only requirement from you now is a statutory payment of $850.00 which you are required to send via western union to the namesof the receiver below;
Receiver's name: Ken Wilson
London/Uk
If you want to speak with our agent in country we would give you his phone number to enable you speak with him but note that without the said payment this draft will not be delivered to you in any reason. Call me as soon as you get this email, Please note that this is a deal and if you don't comply i will agreed to carry this transaction out with a new partner.
Regards
Alex Wood
+44703-193-3729.
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