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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "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.
- MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- w.unionpromo@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- kindly contact dr victor ethelbert, e-mail:(w.unionpromo@yahoo.com.hk)direct tel(+229)68448253 dr victor ethelbert, sent (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- westernunionoffice@dr.com (Dr; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Kenneth Brown. " <Kenneth@arion.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: DR VICTOR ETHELBERT <transferdepartmentunionbank@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 10:43:26 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good Day To You
Good Day,We have concluded to effect your payment of $2.7milion USD, through western union, but the maximum amount you will be receiving each day starting from today is $5000 USD daily until the funds is completely transferred. Kindly Contact DR VICTOR ETHELBERT, E-mail:(w.unionpromo@yahoo.com.hk)Direct Tel(+229)68448253
DR VICTOR ETHELBERT, sent $5000USD in your name today so contact him as soon as you receive this email and call him to give you the MTCN and sender's name to pick the $5000USD.Send to him your full name and address for the Renew And Activation of Your Payment Fill/also the only fee you have to pay him is $48 of the Activation fee.
Now re-confirm and forward the below required information to the Paying Officer to avoid wrong transfer:
(1) Beneficiary Name:
(2) Country and Address:
(3) Direct Tel:
(4) Attach of your ID or driving license:
Below is information to make the payment through Western Union Or MoneyGram office nearby;
Receiver Name: CHERIF OLABOKOUNDE
Country: Benin republic
CITY: COTONOU.
Question: send only
Answer: $48
E-MAIL:westernunionoffice@dr.com or
westernunionoffice678@yahoo.com.hk
Tel(+229) 65506673
Thank you.
Mr.Kenneth Brown.
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Anti-fraud resources:
