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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:
- "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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- anthony.secretary@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "RAJI AKASON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.anthony.financial@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:18:38 +0300
Subject: YOUR COMPENSATION FUND1
Hello My Good Friend.
I am very happy indeed to inform you that at last I succeeded in securing the contract sum of $21.8 Million Us Dollars under a cooperation of my partner from Japan.It is like a miracle after all the
problems and difficulties I encountered on the process. Above all I did not forget my promise to God that I will render an assistance to the charities and less privileged.
I tried to achieve the project here but could not because of the political instabilities and selfish interest in the Government of my Country.Therefore I would like to use you to accomplish the promise I made. I am in Japan now for my contract project with Mr. Takaya Krarachi and very busy at the moment. Before I left my Country I left $3.200.000.00usd cheque draft (Three Million Two Hundred thousand United State Dollars) with my secretary in Benin Republic Mr.BEN WHITEHEAD.
Therefore,I would like you to contact Mr.ANTHONY WHITHEAD now and ask him to transfer the ($3.200,000.00 usd) Three Million Two Hundred Us Dollars cheque draft to you. You shall use ($1000000.00usd)One Million Us dollars out of the total amount to launch a foundation on the motherless babies in your area in my name, and keep $2.2Million for yourself as a reward of your participation and effort you made toward the transaction.
Be advice to send him the mailing fee of $185.00 to be able to post this bank draft to you without any atom of delay. he will advice you further as soon as you get In contact with him.
Here is the information to reach Mr.ANTHONY WHITEHEAD.
Email( anthony.secretary@gmail.com )
Office phone number(+29901684734)
Call the Direct Line to speak with him (+248130381521)
while contacting Mr.Philip E Dickson Please include and give him instructions on where to send the money to you. I will advise you to contact him with this information:
He will need the following information from you:
1.YOUR FULL NAME :=====
2.HOME/OFFICE ADDRESS :======
3.CURRENT HOME/OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER :=====
5.A COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT/DRIVER LISENCE: ========
6.SEX :====
7.AGE :===
8.OCCUPATION :========
Regards
Mr.Raji Akason'
Finance Minister
Federal Republic Of Benin
Telephone +812367896531.
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Anti-fraud resources:
