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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (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 "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- truthislife2@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Jimi Yester" <pascale.vial@noos.fr>
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:41:02 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Contact Mr Onye Ocha For Your Atm Card
Hello My Good Friend,
It is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our business transaction. Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds. I am obliged to inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a new partner from Australia Mr. Castillo.
Everything was perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady Accountant who works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), and she rendered a tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea and everything worked out successfully.
In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the funds, I have decided to compensate you with the sum of $5M USD ( Five Million Dollars ) in a Cashier's draft. This is from my own share. I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind support and assistance even though we couldn't succeed due to some unforeseen circumstances. Presently, I am very busy arranging for my trip to Australia for investment with my own share under the advice of my partner.
In the light of the above, you are therefore to contact my personal account keeper in the African Bank in Cotonou Benin Republic. His name is Mr. Onye Ocha and do send him your banking information's to enable him transfer the draft to you through ATM CARD as he said that it will be the best way to transferred the fund to you without much expenses his e-mail address ( truthislife2@hotmail.com ) to enable him convert the cheque to cash through ATM CARD and sent to you without delay .
I will make out time to pay you and your family a visit at your country as soon as i settle down with the projects at hand.
So feel free to get
Mr Jimi Yester
Contact Mr Onye Ocha For Your Atm Card
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