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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:
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "dhlcourier_ltd@yeah.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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: "Mr. Allen Williams" <ALLEN.@miracle.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. John W. Kelly" <dhlcourier_ltd@yeah.net>
Date: Sat, 7 May 2016 05:22:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention please!!!
Attention please!!!
We the federal ministry of finance have registered your ATM CARD of US$1.8Million Usd to DHL Express delivery Company office with the registration Number of (79355233)So Contact dhl director: Mr. John W. Kelly on( dhlcourier_ltd@yeah.net )with your full delivery information such as your country,home address,nearest airport and you direct phone number,and remember to indicates the registration Number and the only what they need from you is their security keeping charge of US$145.00 and is mandatory before you will receive your Atm card delivery.
Therefore be advice this doesn't need further delay to enable your atm card delivery not to be cancel, so here is the collection details to send the US$145.00 immediately once you confirm this message and attach the payment receipt in return, meanwhile you should note to send it by MoneyGram urgent remittance service to avoid any delay to complete this with you.
Receivers Name:=========(PEACE NNECHI)
Country:========Benin Republic
City:=========== Cotonou
Test Question:====When
Test Answer:===Now.
We look forward for your cooperation.
Regards
Mr. Allen Williams
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