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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "awestern-union@live.fr" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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: "Michael.J. Kan." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <awestern-union@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:07:15 -0700
Subject: CLAIM 64.6.239.79 Successfully transfer
Dear Sir/Madam,
Be informed after so much longtime delay, all your total funds amounting #3,500.000.00 Euro will be wire you by cash western union office in Benin Republic.
contact the western union by email here: awestern-union@live.fr
You will pay them the transfer charges of Euro 35.00 only.
Provide to them as folllows:
Receivers Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Country:
City:
Contact the western union now Mr.Mohammed Goodluck Mercy Manager Desk Transfer and ask him information to send them the transfer charge to receiving your money immediately, Again, make sure your details address is correct.
Meanwhile i have signed all beneficary documents in your favor.
Thanks and God bless you and family.
Best Regards,
Barrister Michael Kan.
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