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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- 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.
- 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.
- jamesobinna1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "James Obinna" <jamesobinna@freemail.com.mk>
Date: Sat, 6 Aug 2011 17:56:45 +0200
Subject: Your Card
Hello
I write to inform you that I cannot send the money through western union money transfer because we don't send money out cash do to the so much illegal money transaction going on by our bad government here in Nigeria, I have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment of $800.000.00 USD via Credited ATM CARD which will be delivered to your door step by your choice of courier Service Company.
I want you to send to me every needed information that will lead to the save delivery of your credited ATM CARD to your door step.feel the below form and send it directly to my private email address (jamesobinna1@hotmail.com) or you can call me on my telephone +2348064373619
CONTACT ADDRESS;
CONTACT PERSON NAME;
COUNTRY;
STATE;
IDENTITY CARD;
PHONE;
OTHER EMAIL;
Please do choose the courier service of your choice below;
(DHL COURIER COMPANY)
(FedEx COURIER EXPRESS)
(UPS COURIER SERVICE)
NOTE; make sure you do no mistake because I will not be hold responsible for any lost of package on the process.
Thanks
Mr. James Obinna
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Anti-fraud resources:
