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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- +22968 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- okoyedrpatrick@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: www office Urtah <wwwoffice101@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: www office Urtah <okoyedrpatrick@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:10:34 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Good day friend, Simply contact Dr. Patrick for release of your
certified check draft..
 Hello my dear.
It is my pleasure to Inform you that a certified check have been approved in your favor, The check Value is $500,000.00/USD. Simply contact this Dr. Patrick Okoye on the information below so that he can send the check to you. send you full information to us immediately.
With due respect, you  personal advice  to make a decision on how you would like the the Certified Bank Check to be release to you either by Courier delivery/swift wire transfer to you.  But we demand you should come down here in my Country Republic Of Benin to SIGN  the necessary release documents by of this check your self as the right beneficiary of this approved Certified Check. (OR) You pay the total sum of $83 for me to get/higher an  authorize attorney  who can do the signing on your behalf here.  I await your immediate reply to know the best option you have chosen and I demand you use this opportunity to reconfirm your delivery detail/bank detail as far as you have chosen one among these options above.
Name: Dr. Patrick OkoyeEmail: okoyedrpatrick@yahoo.fr
Telephone:+229-68.76.11.31.
Regards,Barr. Oyakilome  Urtah.
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