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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:
- "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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "benjaminjude1@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2299971 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: Christopher Brown <interpolpoliceforceunit@live.com>
Reply-To: benjaminjude1@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:27:15 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Urgent reply to Barr Benjamin for your MONEY GRAM PAYMENT.
Attention My Dear,
I am not happy with my secretary for long now he did not send you the Bank Draft which i kept for your compensation,I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that funds Now,I want you to contact my Barrister Benjamin Jude his contact information bellow.
Name: Barrister Benjamin Jude
Email : benjaminjude1@LIVE.COM
phone number +229 9971 3991
Tell Barrister Benjamin Jude that you received a message from me Instructing him to send you the fund through money gram service for easy receives your payment $6500.00 in any Money Gram Service around your home address also send to him your receiver Details
1.YOUR RECEIVER NAME________
2.YOUR CITY._______
3.YOUR COUNTRY__________
4.TEST QUESTION.________
5.ANSWER._______
6.A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE_______
contact him immediately Reconfirm your full information to him to avoid any mistake and also due to the fund is in Bank Draft don't forget to send sum of $55 to obtain Money Gram Payment Gurrantee Letter from Money gram office to convert the Bank Draft into cash for easy process of your payment.I am current in Paraguy for my project.
Best regard.
Mr.Chrstoper Brown.
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