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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. )
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "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.
- 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 Foundation" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wu.foundation@56788.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2015 14:52:11 -0500
Subject: Western Union Foundation Grants
WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION/NIGERIA
Western Union Foundation Grants 2015:
Website: http://www.westernunion.com/
**********************
(Customer Service Department)
"Dear Western Union Customer"
This Email was Randomly sent to 3 Western Union Users Worldwide who has
been using the Western Union Services in sending Money to Friends,
Relatives Or Business Purposes.
Over the Years, Western Union Foundation has Awarded Over Millions of US
Dollars to Individuals and Organizations, See Link for More Details:
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=392200010
We wish to inform you that WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION NIGERIA is
awarding $3.6 Million US Dollars to 3 Western Union Customers Worldwide
and be informed that you have been selected to receive prize of
$1,200,000.00 USD in the On going 2015 Western Union Foundation Grants
Promo.
Your funds is Ready to be Transferred into a Western Union Money Wise Visa
Card and which will be Couriered to your Home Address.
NOTE: The Delivery/Courier of your Western Union Money Wise Visa Card is
FREE !
Your Reference Number is: WUF/MY97715/400BQMY.
Please Provide the Information below that will be used to Send your
Western Union Money Wise Visa Card:
1. Full Name:_____________
2. Full Address:_______________
3. Nationality:___________
4. Mobile/Tel No:____________
Send Information's to Our Western Union Agent:
Name: MR.JOHN MAINA
Contact E-mail: wu.foundation@56788.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
