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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:
- "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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "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)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: WESTERN UNION OFFICE <western_unionof@w.cn>
Date: Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:09:11 +0400
Subject: Where to pick up your part payment.
Dear Sir,
I am contacting you again please note that International Instant Cash
Money Transfer have several branches around the globe and are approved by
state bank to transfer your payment .The service is designed to assist
those who have not receive their over due payment to meet FSA and HMRC
regulations . Please via my Id card and get back to us today so that we
can
proceed by today on your pickup without any further delay again.
PLEASE note that you have available US$100,000.00 part payment of your
over due sum.
To comply with our global banking regulations and local payment methods
please complete this form and send with the overseas (inward) register
processing fee US$48 send by western union with the
Name_________ _________ ONYEKACHI JAMES
Question_________ _________What?
Answer_________ _________Cash.
Destination_________ _________ Benin Republic
City_________ _________ Cotonou
MTCN_________ _________
AMOUNT_________ _________$48
After we have obtained all the information we require, we will provide you
with
Pick up address: _____________
Secret pin: _____________
Authorization: _____________
Pease note that we do not have control over this fee.
ONE-TIME ADDRESS VERIFICATION FORM
1. Receivers Information
Name: Mr. Mrs. Miss _________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________
District/City: ________________________________________________
Province /State: ______________________________________________
Destination Country: __________________________________________
Post code ___________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________________
2. Receivers ID Details: Driver License OR Passport Number: __________
Expiry date ______________________/___________________/_________
Please allow 24 hours for processing after receipt the information and
MTCN _________
Thank you,
Miss Joy Ada.
International instant cash (IIC)
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Anti-fraud resources:
