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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. )
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- 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 " <azerbaijan.westernunionfdtn2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fluhmann.dn@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2020 06:13:23 +0800
Subject: - C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S : -
- C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S -
YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO RECEIVE THE SUM OF $850,000.00 USD.
This Compensation / Grant is to help everyone affected by this (COVID-19) Pandemic to help and better their Lives and that of their Families.
To receive your Approved Compensation Relief Funds of $850,000.00 USD, Please Contact :
MR.MICHAEL GUNN
Grant Claims Agent / International Relations Officer.
E-MAIL : westernunionfoundation2020@test20.wahissa.org
Contact OR WhatsApp Us : +994 55365 8174
Best Wishes,
WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION
Compensation Department.
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Anti-fraud resources:
