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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. )
- "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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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: "Mark Ubadi (ATM CARD DELIVERY INTERNATIONAL)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomatmarkubadi@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2015 16:54:28 +0800
Subject: Re: Delivery Day: Wednesday The 10th of June 2015.
This is to notify you that the ATM CARD worth $10.5 Million will be delivered to you without delay. You have met all the instruction given to you and i am proud to inform you that the delivery of your ATM will be done in 72 hours.
Your ATM CARD will be brought to your doorstep by Crown Courier Service.
We want you to understand that the Crown Courier Service charge of $69.30 is the only fee you will pay for the package to be brought to you without hitches.
As soon as this fee is paid, your package will be taken to Crown delivery service and the Tracking number will be issued to you.
Pay the $69.30 immediately by Money Gram or Western Union to enable Crown delivery service bring your package to your stipulated address
Receivers Name: UFOMA JAMES
Address: 18 TAIWO STREET, AKURE, ONDO NIGERIA
Test Question: WHEN?
Answer: 72 HOURS
The following information should be provided after making the payment
SENDERS NAME AND ADDRESS
REFERENCE NUMBER/M.T.C.N
PAYOUT AMOUNT IN NIGERIAN CURRENCY
TELEPHONE/MOBILE NUMBER
Upon the receipt of the payment information, the delivery of the ATM will be completed.
MARK
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Anti-fraud resources:
