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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:
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Jim Larry <o.file123456789@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Jim Larry <wwesternunion46@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2015 00:10:57 +0900 (JST)
Subject: GOOD NEWS URGENT REPLY TODAY
Attention:
Honestly I am just disappointed at your behavior because you know that I am a man of God and cannot deceive you. Out of the $178 dollars you are ask to pay and receive your money i have paid $100 for you, Just pay the balance $78 dollars and leave me and my God because God is watching me if I am telling you lies.
I know it is because of your past experience that make you not to believe me but I told you before my God who is my witness that I cannot deceive you because my bible says what shall it profit a man to gain material things and loose your soul.
I told you earlier just drop your old experience and follow my instruction a man of God and you will know what it means to follow somebody that fear God.
I swear to God almighty Father. If I fail to TRANFER you fund through western union or money gram Office within 48hours after you send the $78 dollars as I promise let God Take my life,
I cannot fail you, I promise you. don't fear as soon as you sent the $78 dollars today please leave the rest to me and see if I am lying to you or not because I can not use my life swear because of $78 dollars How can I swear against my life because of this transfer of yours $10,000.00 per Day, but is to show you that I am telling you the truth.
So please try to understand me this $78 dollars is big amount but is too small for the amount you have to receive within 48hours ok.
Here is the information's to use to send the money so that we will complete the matter once and for all $78 dollars only no more payment I swear to God and your first payment will leave here immediately I receive the payment here ok
I here by giving you 100% Assurance that your fund is valid and you can start receding it once you send the fee,
Here is the information's to make the payment through Western Union or money Gram transfer below:
Receiver Name: Julius Eze
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Question: When
Answer: Today
Amount: $78 usd
MTCN:
Sender Name:
Sender Country:
I am looking forward to hear from you right now and know what is holding not to make the payment as you said because I hate any thing promise and fail. I am waiting to hear from you now.
Mr. Jim Larry Western Union
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC: NO: 192 AKIL ROAD
TELEPHONE NUMBER 0022999658818
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Anti-fraud resources:
