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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:
- "money gram" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Secret Shopper®" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_ms@postino.at>
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 03.04.37 +0200
Subject: VACANCY (NOW RECRUITING)
Secret Shopper® is presently recruiting a "limited" number of workers on contract basis.
POSITION TITLE: Regional Mystery Shopper
AVAILABILITY: Open
START DATE: Immediate
COMMISSION: Per Survey
Hello,
We require secret survey agent,who can help us survey Wal-Mart stores (stores might change) and Money Gram outlets secretly without their knowledge as we have received lots of complaints regarding their services.
You will have to use the following pointers below to prepare your report:
- Assessment and advice on customer care.
- Store layout and ease of selection.
- Depth of selection.
- Customer care programme and service audits.
- Staff appearance.
- Staffs approach.
- Staff knowledge of product.
- General Service level.
- Store cleanliness.
- Cash and wrap area appearance.
- Exit polls.
- Telephone surveys, and market research projects undertaken
The funds to shop at Wal-mart stores and to complete the Money Gram survey would be provided. We feel you are dedicated and request you to fill in the following information below.
ENCLOSE YOUR INFORMATION:
#Your full name:
#Gender:
#Your full home address in the order below (Pls P.O box is not acceptable)
#Address1:
#City:
#State:
#Zip Code:
#Country:
#Your age:
#Present Occupation:
#direct contact telephone number (HOME AND CELL):
#Your email address:
Is there a Money Gram outlet nearby to your place(reply with a YES or NO):No
Is there a Wal-Mart store nearby to your place(reply with a YES or NO):Yes
Payment: Your pay would be paid $200 on each evaluation and could be a part time job,which just requires an hour or two to complete the evaluation.
P.S: A brief description on how to go about the process would be sent to your address with the funds for future references.
Thanks
Peter Anderson
Secret Shopper®
c1990-2013
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Anti-fraud resources: