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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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: "Amos John" <amos.john07@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:46:20 -1200
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD DELIVERY
Federal Ministry of Finance
Payment Reconciliation Panel
Via Office of the Presidency
Rue 86 Cotonou, Republic Of Benin
Attention Dear:
This is to bring you notice that I have register your ATM VISA CARD to Ups courier Company for your delivery. I have paid their reactivate fee and courier charges and the delivery of your ATM VISA CARD. I paid it because the ATM VISA CARD worth of {$2.8 MILLION U.S.D} has getting to expire and when it expires the money will go into Government reserve. With that reason I decided to help you pay the money so that the ATM VISA CARD will not expire, because I know that when you receive your ATM VISA CARD definitely you must compensate me
Now your ATM VISA CARD has been deposited with UPS Courier Company for delivery so I want you to contact Ups Courier Company with your Full Contact information's so that they can deliver your ATM VISA CARD to your designated address without any delay. Kindly reconfirm your contact information to them now so that they we delivery your ATM VISA CARD to your home address immediately
Like I started earlier, the delivery charges have been paid but I did not pay their official keeping fees since they refused. A reason for their refusal is because they do not know when you are going to contact them. They told me that their security keeping fee is {$35U.S.D} per day and I deposited it yesterday. So try and contact them immediately to avoid increasing of their security keeping.
BELOW IS THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION'S:
CONTACT PERSON: REV. TEDDY HARRIS
Manager, United Parcel Service Benin Republic
Email: ( ups_couriercompany@globomail.com ) OR ( ups_company@blumail.org )
PHONE: +229-999-03-357
As soon as you receive this mail message, try to call the Manager immediately to know when Your ATM VISA CARD could be delivering to you
Make sure that you contact them today to avoid increase of their security keeping fees and let me know once you receive your ATM VISA CARD. I am waiting to hear from you as soon as this your received this ATM VISA CARD from the Company
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Amos John.
Auditor General
Federal Ministry of Finance
Cotonou Benin Republic
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Anti-fraud resources:
