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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:
- "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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- western_union005@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Chima John <chimmajohn23@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: western_union005@sify.com
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:11:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GO AND PICK YOUR FIRST PAYMENT
Attn Beneficiary;
The Board of federal ministry of finance Benin Republic are here by to notify you of your payment inheritance funds of ($4 .5million USA Dollar) after the meeting held on 21th of April.2010.with His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN (DR YAYI BONI)
THIS IS THE MONEY WE HAVE SEND TO YOU
MTCN: ::::::::::::::::: 3818298364
Sender First Name: :::: Kathleen
Sender Last Name: ::::: Devinsky
Text Question :::::::: When ??
Text Answer :::::::: Now
The maximium amount you will be receiving per a day starting from tomorrow is $9,000) and the MTCN NO# will be sent along with the Text Questions & Answers for you to receive your fund through any Western Union Location in your Country. Send your information now to Hn David Williams of westernunion money transfer in Cotonou Benin Republic.
Beneficiary name--------------
Country-----------------------
City--------------------------
Tel---------------------------
Test question-----------------
Answer------------------------
sex___________________________
age___________________________
ID____________________________
For further procedure Contact the payment officer with the information below;Attention; Hn David Williams.Western Union Money TransferTel; +2299-867-89-10 Email;( western_union005@sify.com ) You will pay them the renewing,processing and reconfirming fee of only $125 to renew your payment file that was deposited in the office with your name and they will start sending your money $9,000 per day Try to fill the Above Informations where they will besending you your money and do let me know immediately you get your fund for us to share the joy together.
Best regards
Yours in service
Chimma John
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