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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.
- 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. )
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "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 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.
- westernunionofficedept97@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Bright Ostergaad" <terry_hedges@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: westernunionofficedept97@rocketmail.com
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:04:58 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA
ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
WEB:http://site.www. westernunion.com/
I am Mr Bright Ostergaard,the manager of Western Union Office Benin Republic.
DEAR Customer
We the entire members of Western Union Head Office Benin Republic write to inform
you that the mail you sent to us has been received in regards to the transfer of your
fund valued $800.000.00USD(Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars which
you will be receiving $5000.00 every day until the $800.000.00Usd is completely.
Will are very happy about your confirmation,the transfer of your fund will start without no doubt as soon as you send the needed $60 because i have raised $220.00 for you and remember that you will pay me the $220.00 back next week because the transfer will start very soon after your ownership Certificate is signed.
So make sure you send the remain $60 with this western union payment information and email us back with sender name and mtcn number.
1.RECEIVER NAME:______ MR. NZELUO MARCEL .
2.COUNTRY:____________ BENIN REPUBLIC .
3.CITY :________________ COTONOU.
4.TEST QUESTION:______ who is able
5.TEST ANSWER:_______ God
6.AMOUNT:____________ $60, USD
7. MTCN : _____________
This is your transfer secret code.....IMF02
Please do forward the mtcn number to us after you send the $60.
email us with this email address (westernunionofficedept97@rocketmail.com)
We look forward to your urgent positive response.
Regards,
Mr.Bright Ostergaad The Manager Of Western union department BeninRepublic;
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