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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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: Western Union <officenote---file7@att.net>
Reply-To: western_union9999@globomail.com
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 07:59:26 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION:BENEFICIARY
Urgent Attention:Beneficiary
I sent your first installmental payment base on our agreement that upon confirmation of your information i will start sending your funds, It's quiet unfortunate that your name was found on RED FLAG & SCAM LIST on our website data-base that you cannot receive any Payment from Both Western Union & Money Gram in this Country. So the payment could not be effected until your name is been removed from the RED FLAG & SCAM LIST. You have to send sum your any amount you have to clean your Name from RED FLAG & SCAM LIST so that you will be able to receive money from Western Union and Money Gram.
I wait to hear from you now because your payment information is on my desk and will be released immediately you send the any amonut to Clean your name from RED FLAG & SCAM LIST. Send the money to the name below and get back to us urgently with the payment information.
Beneficiary name-------
Address----------------
Tel phone--------------
DIRECT TEL: +229_98284176
CONTACT PERSON: Mr.Peter Brown.
Here is the infotmation to send the any amount you have immediately.
Receiver Name_________Mr Obeche .S.Ikechukwuo
Location_______________Benin Republic
City___________________Cotonou
Test Question__________What Color
Test Answer____________Green.
Amount________________Any
Then send the MTCN# & Sender's Name. Note that upon receiption of the fee your first transfer will be released and i will give you a call after forwarding the details through mail. You have to keep your phone where ever you are so that i can reach you. I wait to hear from you soon.
Mr.Peter Brown.
Western Union Manager.
Tel:CALL ME Tel:+229_98284176
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