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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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.
- 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.
- +22993742253 (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.
- mike_ben46@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ELDER PAUL" <elderpaul22@ig.com.br>
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 12:13:54 +0100
Subject: my good friend
Hello my good friend,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this mlti-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Chile who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.
Due to your effort and sincerity, courage and trust worthiness You showed
during the course of the transaction. I have left a certified capital trust
bank plc cheque for you worth of $1,200,000.00 cashable anywhere in the
world.
CONTACT: Mr. mik ben.
Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Eddress: (mike_ben46@hotmail.com )
Telephone:+229-93742253
You are advised to send him this information below:
1.Your full Name,.............
2.Telephone number,....................
3.Your correct mailing address where you want him to send the cheque
to you,..................
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Dr. elder paul
Anti-fraud resources:
