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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- 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 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.
- info.ronaldoffice01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Ronald Williams" <info.ronaldoffice01@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 02 May 2011 17:23:30 +0400
Subject: Bottom line of your funds transfer--
Dear Sir,
We have come to the bottom line of your funds transfer, the initial
charges for the transfer of your funds has been waved .However, following
existing procedures, you will pay only $30 USD for the document fee before
we can process the transfer to your position or it will result in the
cancellation of the transfer. please send the requested fee $30 USD via
western union with the with the name below.
Receives Name:- Godson C. Oteh
Country:-Benin Republic
City/state:-Cotonou.
Question:- Outstanding
Answer:-Payment
Amount:- $30 USD
Senders Name:-
Mtcn(Money Control Number):-
On sending the fee you are advice to forward the MTCN question and answer
to this email: info.ronaldoffice01@gmail.com and also reconfirm your
receiving details which the funds are to be credited. Please send us your
account details and the requested fee today so that we can get your fund
transfered by today. Please do not forget to send us your direct telephone
numbers so that we can call you.
Thanks you.
Dr. Ronald Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
