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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:
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- united.nation_compensation_unit@mail.com (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "RANDY KENT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <united.nation_compensation_unit@mail.com, unitednation_compensationunit@live.com>
Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 10:04:36 +0530
Subject: UNITED NATION COMPENSATION UNIT
Attention:
We wish to congratulate and inform you that after thorough review of all unclaimed funds contract; inheritance or lottery funds; your payment file No (FS753NQ) has finally been forwarded to us for review and immediate payment of your long delayed compensation fund worth the sum of US$2.700,000.00 will be credited to your designated bank account in your country authorized by the United Nations Compensation Commission Unit.
The Audit reports show that you have been awarded this fund through computerized email balloting conducted by United Nation.The $2.700,000.00 will be credited to your bank account within 3 working days as soon as your account is reconfirmed and transfer copies forwarded to you and your bankers for confirmation. kindly contact today by email our Payment Coordinator UN Zonal Office.
CONTACT VIA EMAIL: united.nation_compensation_unit@mail.com, unitednation_compensationunit@live.com
All correspondence to Mr Randy Kent by email should have this Reference Number: 'UNC/45R/MG8IND ' sent along with your Contact details:
Please provide the following information.
Full Name: _______________________________
Profession:__________
Age:____________
Address:____________________________
Tell/Mobile:________________________________
Nationality____________________________________
Yours faithfully;
RANDY KENT.
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Anti-fraud resources:
