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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "million united states 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- +22993692129 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- upexpressposts@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- nom.nom@laposte.net
Fraud email example:
From: "magoro.wasim" <magoro.wasim@laposte.net>
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:11:41 +0100 (CET)
Subject: consignment registration number: CON/5478/MTM/07.
Good Day,
It is my pleasure to inform you that your compensation fund totalling the amount of
US$6,000,000.00 (SIX MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS) as a certified Bank Draft has been converted to cash through the help of the issuing bank because it has been delayed as more than necessary, and in order to avoid an expiration of time that is why your fund was packaged as a consignment and it will be delivered to you as a cash payment by a Diplomat.
However, the consignment containing your total fund has been registered as "African
Fabrics" with the UPExpress Courier company in Benin Republic. This consignment will be delivered to you through the assistance of the DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICES to your address.
You are now required to contact the UPE xpress Courier company Benin Republic for an immediate delivery of your consignment to your home address as the company is waiting to hear from you and to receive your information where to deliver your consignment.
You can contact the courier company with this information below:
Attn: Dr.(Mrs) ANTHONIA SAMPSON
2/4 honvo jacques route
Cotonou,Benin
EMAIL: upexpressposts@yahoo.fr
Tel; +229 93692129
Also, here is the consignment registration number: CON/5478/MTM/07.
You are now required to include in your response letter to the Courier Company your
identification. As soon as you have received your consignment fund please I want you to inform me.
For your information do not disclose the content of the content of the consignment to the company because it was registered as AFRICA FABRIC MATERIALS.THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT IT CONTAINS MONEY. PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
Best Regards,
Dr Magoro Wasim
Créez votre adresse électronique prénom.nom@laposte.net
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