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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:
- "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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22997988020 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "paulmaple0025@gazeta.pl" <paulmaple0025@gazeta.pl>
Reply-To: paulmaple02@gazeta.pl
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:35:19 +0100
Subject: Hello My GOOD Friend.
Hello My GOOD Friend.
I have deposited the cheque with Capital Trust Bank,to
process it into ATM MASTER CARD for you.
All the arrangement of processing your cheque of $850.000.00 into ATM Master
card will be made on your contact with ATM DEPARTMENT with Capital Trust
Bank Plc Cotonou Benin Republic.
contact DR.Morris Baker ,; EMAIL:(morrisbaker4@hotmail.com) Phone +229 97
98 80 20 Send your contacts to enable him process your Master card fast.
Please kindly reconfirm the follows:YOUR NAME,ADDRESS,PHONE,COUNTRY,SEX,
Note That it was agreed that you will send to them the sum of $198.00 Only
for the processing of your ATM
master card.
Best Regards.
Mr Paul Maple
Anti-fraud resources:
