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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. )
- 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: diplomatmarkubad@gmail.com
Reply-To: diplomatmarkubadiii@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2016 03:41:48 +1100
Subject: Re: URGENT: Your Package Is Coming.
Good Day
I'm glad to notify you about your ATM CARD worth US$10.5 Million which
has been in our custody for many months is ready for delivery.
We want you to understand that there have been an order from above to
release all packages that are held and as such i have requested for a
Waiver Certificate from our Sub Consulate which will empower me to
deliver the funds to you.
The Waiver Certificate is US$49 Only and as the beneficiary of the
funds, it is your responsibility to pay for it.
Make the payment of US$49 Only by Western Union Money Transfer or
Money Gram with the details below''
Receivers Name: EMMANUEL ODU
Address: 124 KOKA ROAD, ASABA, DELTA STATE NIGERIA
Test Question: Delivery Time
Answer: 72 Hours
The following information should be provided after making the payment
1) Sender's Name
2) Sender's Address
3) Direct Telephone/Cell Number
4) M.T.C.N OR REFERENCE NUMBER
5) Payout Amount as stated on the Payment Receipt
If you know you won't be able to pay for the Delivery fee of your ATM
CARD please do not respond to this email and as such your ATM CARD
will be returned to the compensation office.
Thanks for your understanding.
Sincerely,
ATM Card Delivery Expert
Mark Ubadi
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Anti-fraud resources:
