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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:
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "diplomatic agent" ("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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "D.H.L COMPANY" <offic11user--04283@att.net>
Reply-To: dhl3@live.com
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:49:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT DHL COURIER SERVICE COMPANY
DHL COURIER SERVICE
COMPANY BENIN DU
REPUBLIC
Avenue Mgr Isidore de Souza 41 Blvd Du Mongo
Cotonou Benin.
My Dear,
THIS IS MY THIRD AND FINAL MAIL TO
YOU!!!
We received your email with the complete of your personal information
and your home address in regards of your package that was deposited in our
office by your local partner Mr. Ben Okoye. here with this Registration
Number;.dhl /122p/mtm/2009 Zip Code:0113388.
The
amount involved for the delivery of your package is US$75.00 and the money is to
be send down here through western
union or money gram
with our cashier name below.
And within 48hours of receiving the fee
your package will be at your doorstep by our Diplomatic agent for sure becuase
the delivery will be over night expresss.
Receivers
Name................UZOR OKOYE
Country....................... BENIN
REPUBLIC
City............................. ....COTONOU
Text
Question...................WHEN
Answer......................... TODAY
AMOUNT
.....................................$75
And as
soon as you send the US$75.00 then send us the Western
union Details/ MTCN Number / Sender's Name. Because as
soon as the fee is received we will despatch your package and we shall provide
you the tracking details for you to monitor the movement of your package while
on the transit to know that its coming to you.
The US$75.00
requested is for our security keeping fee and All necessary documents has been
tendered by depositor.
Below is
picture of your registered box.
Type: Diplomatic Package.
Size: L: W: H / 04:10:13
CM.
Weight: .29kg.
Colour: Brown.
DHL
COURIER SERVICE
COMPANY BENIN DU
REPUBLIC
Yours
Sincerely,
Mr. PAUL
UZO
Email( dhl3@live.com )
Tel: +229
98892244
DHL International
Express
Courier
Company Director Benin Republic
CAUTION: THIS INFORMATION MAY BE
CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVILEGED INFORMATION. IF YOU ARE NOT ADDRESSED OR AUTHORISED
TO RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE, YOU MUST NOT USE, COPY, DISCLOSE OR TAKE ANY ACTION
BASED ON THIS MESSAGE OR ANY INFORMATION HEREIN. IF YOU RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR PLEASE
ADVICE THE SENDER ON THE
ABOVE.
DHL COURIER SERVICE COMPANY BENIN DU
REPUBLIC
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Anti-fraud resources:
