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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:
- "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. )
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. JAMES EGOBIAH" <deskofficiall@sify.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:37:24 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Guarantee package shippment.----------
Good Morning,
I am contacting you again because am in charge for your outstanding
package that was ship this afternoon . yes it is our responsibility to
deliver the transfer to your end according to your instruction either
by wire transfer or by issuance of ATM card.this is a new payment
method which has been developed to help remove all the fees which are
sometimes
charged on your funds transfer .
you (as the Beneficiary ) must pay for purchase form $30 (US$) this
will enable us perform the necessary things and send you the paperwork
that cover this transfer no additional fee will be required. no courier
fees No stop payment will be issued no time-consuming the delivery
terms is normally 1day both by wire transfer and ATM card .Via western
union
money transfer only with the below Informations.
Senders Name:----
Recivers name:---- Ikechi N. Enwereuzor
Country:--- Benin Republic
City:-- Cotonou
Question:----What Color?
Answer:---Blue
MTCN:--------
Amount:--$30
upon receiving your order and the payment infortion your aproval
transfer 1.2 million will reach your end through any chanel you chose.
Please note that your package will be at your door step before
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Wishing you the best ,
Mr James Egobiah
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