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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:
- "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. )
- "million us 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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: INTERPOL POLICE FORCE <office_files12327@yahoo.com.sg>
Reply-To: interpol_police_force_unity@qatar.io
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:04:36 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Check this TNT COMPANY tracking number for you to track and see ( 664579031 ).
You are welcome to desk of Chief Hon. Jeff Robert Carl the inspector general of
International Interpol Police Force Investigating Benin Republic.
Chief Hon. Jeff Robert Carl the inspector general
E-mail;; interpol_police_force_unity@qatar.io
Telephone--+229 986 185 61
We are Working towards a corruption-free world by promoting and defending integrity,
justice and the rule of law! Mission statement of the International Anti-Corruption
Academy, We cover West African Countries.
Attention
Look i am here to inform you that your own ATM CARD is still here because of $45 to stamp the delivery before carrying it out by the TNT COMPANY and Mr. Ken who has paid for his own has received his own CARD and the amount his card contain is sum of $590,000.00 Us Dollars while yours is $2.5 Million Us Dollars , so if you think that i am lieing, here is own TNT COMPANY tracking number for you to track and see ( 664579031 ) just type www.tnt.com and then click enter website and you can see where to track it .
Here is the information where to send the $45 if you are still ready for your ATM CARD before some one steal it here in my office.
Receiver: EMEKA PEPER
Country: Benin Republic
Question:Very Urgent?
Answer: Today.
Sender:
Amount US$
MTCN:
FROM INTERPOL POLICE FORCE UNIT.
Hon. Chief Jeff Robert Carl the inspector general
E--Mail;;; interpol_police_force_unity@qatar.io
Telephone--+229 986 185 61
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