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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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "INSTRUCTION FROM FBI" <fbigov2012@gmail.com>
Reply-To: fbigovernment012012@superposta.com
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:04:32 -0500
Subject: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.
Attention Beneficiary:
We have been watching every single transaction you made since last year until
this 2012 and you have to know that we are also working to make sure your
funds which are suppose To be delivered to you, and also bear in mind what
ever you emailing us will be forward to the court.
Also we are hereby to notify by the federal bureau of investigation Cotonou
department of the insult you imposed on them by failing to comply by their
requirements. Your full residential address has been forwarded to us for your
immediate arrest to face your charge but I deemed it fit to give you one more
chance to save yourself from this mess.
We have been told that you have failed to dance by the rule of the FBI which
will warrant 2 years jail sentence. Now I Mr.Hackett John Alvin the special
agentin charge of the FBI Albany department I am giving you 24 working hours
to effect the payment of the $80.00 usd. To the FBI in republic of
Benin(fbisecurity) with the information written below:
Receiver Name: mbanefor basil
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Test: In God?
Answer: We Trust
Amount: $80.dollars
Mtcn number.........
You have to try as much as you can and make this payment so that your funds
will be delivered immediately to your destination.You have to stop every
transaction you are communicating with other organization to avoid delay on
the processing of your funds.
Note that you? If you fail to stick with my advice or any delay will lead to
us coming directly to your home address at any time, so try and dance by the
rule and get back tome with good understanding ASAP.
Special Agent in Charge;
Mr.Hackett John Alvin
INSTRUCTION FROM FBI
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Anti-fraud resources:
