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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. )
- "westernunion371@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER HEAD OFFICE <westernuniontransfer159@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: westernunion817@ymail.com
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:56:20 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION NOW TO PICK UP YOUR PAYMENT
Attention
I have deposited the check of compensation as we agreed with western Union. All you have to do is to contact them at: westernunion371@ymail.com they will give you direction on how you will be receiving the funds daily. My agreement with them is $5000 USD daily until the whole of $2.7million USD is transferred.
You are not expected to pay for the transfer charge as that will be deducted from the funds once the remittance is done. The only fee you will send to them before the transfer is $95 USD for paper work and remittance,
Email them with above address, the contact person is DR DAVID PHILIP with phone number; 0022964764031, Do reply also with your name and address as directed below to avoid mistakes like transferring to a wrong person.
Please fill out the following form. All fields mark with are required.
Full Name*:
Address*:
Country*
City*:
Sex*:
Age:
Telephone Number*:
Passport/By Attach or Drivers License Number.
Thank you.
western union agent Mr Blessing OBI
Your Fund transfer is ready
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