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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:
- "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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: luke <westernunion_transferoffice@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:18:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OFFICE.
To The Attention Of The Beneficiary;
Why have you not written to let us know your presents situation. What is the delay you by send this fee so that we can help you facilitate the Transfer. Even to ensure that we accomplished the Transaction to your Name and you kept delaying the Transfer, even the worst part of it is that you have chosen not to reply my e-mail why. Remember that I am incharge of your Transfer and I know more about the Transfer than you do. Once again The Management of this Office, wish to bring it to your notice that if the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), canceled your Transaction with us because of your delay. Then you note it that this Office will never ever accommodate any stories.
Now as you can see you are the only one delaying the release of your Payment as I have told you time and again that the release of your Payments shall commence 20minutes of receiving the $175, for the Transfer Charge, which is only thing delaying your Transfer. And that is the final amount you will ever asked to send and start receiving your Funds, so I advise that you try write us so that we know your presence situation because the Transfer of your Funds has been stamped among those to be released from this time as soon as the fee required for the papers is meet up with by you. Kindly go ahead and let us know your presence condition why you have not send the fee Thanks. Once again Send the $175 Dollar with this Information Below.....
Receiver Name/ Obeluo Amechi
City/ Cotonou
Country/ Benin Republic
Text Question/ Color?
Answer/ Blue
Amount/ US$175
Sender's Name............
MTCN No#....................
Regard
Mr Luke
+229 99705198
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