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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:
- 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. )
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms.Don Chisco" <boxoffice------238@att.net>
Reply-To: western93@live.com
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 08:39:53 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONTACT WESTERN UNION FOR YOUR (PAYMENT OF $1.5Million )
Attention Dear Beneficiary,
This message is from Federal ministry of finance office, we are to let you knowthat We have finally concluded with Financial Bank Benin to release your fullcompensation payment of
$1.5Million US Dollars to you through Western Union and you will bereceiving the sum of $5000.00 us dollars daily and First payment has been sent:MTCN: 751-096- 0087 but your payment file must be renewed before you will beable to pick up the payment.
The western union office stated that you will be receiving your funds at themaximum rate of $5000.00 us dollars daily until you receive the total sum of$1.5Million US Dollars completely. You are also required to re-confirm youraddress to them to avoid any wrong transfer.
Your Receiver Name=============
Tel:=============
Country=============
City=============
Addres=============
Text Question.=============
Answer=============
ID=============
Please, contact: Mr.Andrew Obunso
E-mail:(western93@live.com )
Tel: +229 9813 9328
Contact Mr. john p. Koffi immediately through his above email address togive you Sender Name & Question and Answer to pick up your money today andlet me know when you confirm it all.
Thanks,
Ms.Don Chisco
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