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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. )
- "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.
- 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.
- westeruniondep44@superposta.com (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister Donald Tarry" <jeannetteknight2011@live.com>
Reply-To: westeruniondep44@superposta.com
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 13:55:31 -0500
Subject: YOUR WESTERN UNION MTCN IS READY AND AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP
How are you today, I write to inform you that we have already sent you USD5000.00 dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of USD1.500,000.00 via western union by the Authorities of the IMF/SENATORS OF the COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN PAYMENT. Now, I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pick up this USD5000.00 to enable us send another USD5000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only USD5000.00 per day. Please noted that the transfer charge of $5000 is $105 so contact Mr.Paul Edo and asked him where you can send the transfer charge to enable you run to western union to pick up the USD5000.00 and call me back to send you another payment tomorrow, email me once you picked up your money here is western union information to pick up the USD5000.00; MTCN : 3722267596 Sender's Name: Timothy Weed Text Question:WHO Answer: GOD Amount: USD5000.00 My direct phone line is + 229 98318556, Manager Mr.Paul Edo Email:(westeruniondep44@superposta.com )Here is the information that you will use to send the transfer charge so that your first payment will be release to you for another to be sent immediately.Receiver name..... Edwin UdeCountry ..........Benin RepublicCity ...............CotonouText question........ WHOTexts answer........GODAmount......$105usd I am waiting for your call once you pick up this USD5000..00, Thanks Mr Jim Nna
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