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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- mrslucytamlyn111@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: mrslucytamlyn <"www."@peach.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: mrslucytamlyn <mrslucytamlyn111@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2017 06:27:01 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam
Dear Sir/Madam
It's my pleasure to inform you that after UN Security Council meetings United Nations general assembly has agreed to compensate you with $18,000,000,00usd which has been arranged via MasterCard ATM follow the latest instruction from Mr. Antonio Guterres the new UN Secretary General
Meanwhile contact our special representative Mrs. Lucy Tamlyn U.S Ambassador to Republic of Benin who is in position to release your package.
Name: Ambassador Mrs. Lucy Tamlyn
Contact Email: (mrslucytamlyn111@yahoo.com)
Contact Tel: +1-(402) 256-0597
You are required to provide the below details to her:
1: Your Full Name
2: Your Full Address
3: Phone Number
4: Nearest Airport
This compensation includes scam victim and international businesses that has failed due to government problems etc. Note any other contact you made out our Ambassador's Mrs. Lucy Tamlyn office is at your own risk.
Best Regards
Dr. Aurélien Agbénonci
U.N Special Representative and Resident Coordinator
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Lucy Tamlyn
Call: +1-(402) 256-059
U.S. Ambassador to Republique du Bénin
WEBSITE: http://cotonou.usembassy.gov/en-amb.html
CC: Mr. Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General
CC: Mr. Jim Yong Kim the World Bank President/
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Anti-fraud resources: