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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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Pst. John Whaty" <office------da6507@att.net>
Reply-To: info.johnoffice1@zmail.com
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 02:21:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Outstanding transfer
Atten Pls.
With all due respect, I am writting to you in regards of your outstanding transfer $200,000.00 Dollars by cheque or by ATM CARD. I wonder why you have not contacted us or send the courrier fee so that we can deliver your payment as programed Please take note that today is the day that this office has made it clear that you will receive your fund. please send the requested fee $30 via western union with the with the name below.
Receives Name:-Godson C. Oteh
Country:-Benin Republic
City/state:-Cotonou.
Question:- Outstanding
Answer:-Payment
Amount:-$30
Senders Name:-
Mtcn(Money Control Number):-
contact us as soon as you send the fee/MTCN and your full details such as home address/mobile phone number via this email: info.johnoffice1@zmail.com so that we can disptach your payment. i want to solicit for your confidence and trust that this fee is the only what we need to deliver this transfer to your destination address by today. I hope that you can understand us and send us the fee by today so that we can finishup this by today without any delay again . Please today is the last day. Forward us the payment details, MTCN. And we will perform our obligation of getting the fund to your location upon receiving your order and the fee, if you dont send this fee today, your fund will belong to our government.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Wishing you the best ,
Pst. John Whaty.
Remittance Department.
Reply to this email : info.johnoffice1@zmail.com
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