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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Toke B. Toke" <Dr.Toke.B.Toke@toke.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:10:56 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Privileged Confidential Information
Drear Sir/Madam,
I am Mr. Toke B. Toke from Cotonou Benin Republic a French country here in West Africa i am contacting you for assistance on how to help me to invest US$120.5MUSD my late boss fund from USA that was kept with the security vault here in Cotonou Benin Republic West Africa.
I have the intention to invest in your country with this money for profitable investment in Real Estate housing business, I will offer you 35% of the total money for your concern to be the beneficiary of the money and for your time to arrive in cotonou Benin Republic as owner with your travelling expenses. and if you are interested the following details will be needed to facilitate action.
I will need your full particular/information with your scan passport for securing the BENEFICIARY ID CARD to submit on your behalf to the security vault as the real owner of the box of the money in their custody before your arrival if you have interest so that all the documents will be in your name as owner while 65% will be my own.
You are also to be fully prepared that your present will be needed with me here in cotonou Benin Republic face to face for the delivery of the box of the money to us for the next banking transaction with African Bank Benin where we will deposited the money into transit account in your name and you will be the signatory to the account when you arrive for final onward transfer to your country bank to bank transfer without any money laundering problem with Cotonou Benin Republic Government
I will be very glad if you quickly reply me so that i will tell you what to do next and this transaction is free from all third party or any upfront payment so you are dealing with me directly not with anybody and i will also request from vault or a private company that will issued you invitation letter to get your entry visa to cotonou Benin Republic a French country here in West Africa and a safety country no war no crisis and full of expatriate that doing their business successful and this transaction is only 24hrs for the receiving of the box of the money from security vault and the banking process with African Bank or Eco Bank and then you can return back to your country next day if you are not going out for sightseeing so feel free,
So you are welcome to ask me any question concerning this transaction for our better purpose and you are the only person that aware about this money so i will like you to keep my secret highly confidential and i will also send you my picture with my late boss Mr. Harlod from USA in my next reply as proof.
Awaiting your quick reply
Mr. Toke B. Toke.
Privileged Confidential Information
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