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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:
- "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. )
- "united state of america" (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.
- 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: FEDEX EXPRESS COURIER SERVICE <mr.hillj@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: enter0206@blumail.org
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2011 06:29:27 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary, Tracking No:875531681014
Attention: Beneficiary, Tracking No:875531681014
I am wondering why you haven't respond back to us after the FedEx service has arrive United State of America with your ATM package, You have to track your ATM package now with this Tracking number: 875531681014 to view your package.
WWW.FedEx.com
Tracking No:875531681014
(1). YOUR PACKAGE NUMBER IS:::::::::::637 955 331 985-6322
(2). YOUR ACTIVATION CODE NUMBER IS::::::::401202
(3). YOUR ATM CARD PIN NUMBER IS::::::::::XXXX
(4). YOUR PACKAGE ISSUED DATE IS::::::::27/ 05/11
(5). YOUR PACKAGE EXPIRY DATE IS:::::::::8/ 6/14
(6). PACKAGE SHIPMENT DATE:::::::::::09/10\11
(7). PACKAGE DELIVERY DATE:::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::09/10/11
(8). SPECIAL ANTI FRAUD UNIT SCREENED NUMBER IS::::::::::::SAFUCN2244923NG
(9). FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE (F.M.F) APPROVAL NUMBER IS::::::::::::FMF11
Also the FedEx service have a problem with the custom with your package because they find out that what is inside was ATM card so they hold on it requesting that they will show them Homeland Security document policy before they will release the package to them so the cost of the document is US$69.00 dollars.
Payment details as follows.
RECEIVER NAME:::::::::::::: SUNDAY ONYIBOR
COUNTRY::::::::::::::::::::BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY :::::::::::::::::::COTONOU
TEXT QUESTION:::::::::::::FAST
TEXT ANSWER::::::::::::::::::FAST
AMOUNT:::::::::::::::::::::$69.00 USD
MTCN:::::::::::::::::::::::?
SENDDER::::::::::::::::::::::?
Treat this mail as urgent to enable you have your package in next 2 hours today.
THANK YOU (enter0206@blumail.org )
MR ANDRE MIKE call at 00229-98123964
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