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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. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (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.
- 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.
- 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.
- upsunitedparcelservices455@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Eze. Samuel" <officebackup@blumail.org>
Reply-To: upsunitedparcelservices455@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:09:47 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: CONTACT UPS FOR YOUR PACKAGE
Attention:
We have this month of October 2011 received a payment credit instruction from the federal Government of Royal Kingdom of Benin Republic to credit your account with your contract payment which is in the custody of our reserve Bank account here in Benin . This is to notify you that your funds $US7.5Million Dollars has been programmed for immediate release into your nominated account but we can not transfer this funds directly to your nominated bank account,
Because we are having a little problem with International Monetary Fund (IMF) so our method of payment is by Diplomatic Courier Service Via United Parcel Security Shipping Company. Be inform that your funds have been package like a consignment box and deposited in the custody of UPS United Parcel Services head office here in Benin for immediate delivery to your house,The reason while UPS is chosen for the delivery is that they are the best shipping company in the world and our government has issued and signed all the necessary document needed to make the delivery safe.
Note: That the UPS United Parcel Servicesdo not know the content of your box it is been registered as a box of Family Valuables Belonging to avoid delaying in delivery of your consignment,The Government of Benin has already paid the official delivery cost and (yellow Tag Paper,insurance) fee it was deducted from the interest your money accumulated in the custody of our Reserve Bank here in Royal Kingdom Of Benin before the total sum of $US7.5Million USD was packaged as a consignment and sealed as metallic showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.
The only money you have to send to United Parcel Services Security Company Benin Branch is Ninety Eight United State Dollars Us$172.00 being security keeping/Official Stamping fee which is mandatory.
Please, here is payment information to send the western union fee ($172USAdollars)
RECEIVERS NAME::MBANEFOR BASIL
COUNTRY::: BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY::: COTONOU
QUESTION:::: WHAT COLOR?
ANSWER:::::: BLUE
AMOUNT::::: $172
MTCN NUMBER::::?
SENDERS NAME::::?
Below is their contact details. ( UNITED PARCEL SERVICES UPS COPERATE )
Contact Person: Mr.Joe Smith.
Telephone number +229 994 1852
E-mail (upsunitedparcelservices455@yahoo.com)
Here is the information needed to deliver your consignment box to you.
Your Full Name: __________________________________
Your Complete Address : ____________________________
Name of Country /City of Residence :___________________
Direct Home Telephone / Mobile Number:________________
copy of your id for identificationn if any; ______________
Waiting for your immediate respond once you received your parcel.
Best Regards
Mr Eze. Samuel
Payment Director.
Benin Royal Reserve Bank.
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