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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- "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.
- westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. FRANK JIM-WESTERN UNION OFFICE" <zimmerersebastian@yahoo.de>
Reply-To: westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:53:05 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Re: HERE IS YOUR FIRST PAYMENT MTCN # 593-0843-242 Sender's Name: Mr.EJIOFOR PETER.
I Was Calling Your Telephone Number,To Give You The Information Through Phone But You Did Not Pick Up My Calls Throughout
That Yesterday Even This Morning. Now I Decided To Email You The MTCN And Sender's Name So That You Will Pick Up This
USD2000.00 To Enable Us Send Another Today As You Know We Will Be Sending You Only USD2000.00 Per Daily.
Please Run To Western Union To Pick Up The USD2000.00 And Call Me Back To Send You Another Payment Today, Direct Phone Line
Is: +229-99-10-54-12. Manager Dr George Koffi Email: ( westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it) Call Or Email Me Once
You Picked Up This USD2000.00. Here Is The Western Union Information To Pick Up The Money:
MTCN # 593-0843-242
Sender Name:Mr. EJIOFOR PETER
Amount's $2,000.00
Test Question:::::what colour
Test Answer::::::Green
I am Waiting For Your Call Once You Pick Up The Money.
MEANWHILE YOU ARE REQUIRE TO SEND US THE TRANSFERING FEE WHICH IS $160 USD FOR THE WHOLE TRANSFER CHARGES, THAT WE HAVE
ALREADY REMITTED TO YOUR NAME,SO WITHOUT THE TRANSFER FEE YOU CAN NOT PICK THE MONEY FOR IT'S ON HOLD AND THE MTCN CANNOT BE
RELEASED TO YOU UNTILL YOU SEND THE TRANSFER FEE, THAT IS AN INSTRUNCTION FROM THE FEDERAL MINISTERY OF FINANCE (FMF).Please
Email Me Your Direct Telephone Number Because I Need To Be Calling You Once We Send Any Payment For These Information's.
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.
1. Receiver Name :----MR.OKAFOR SUNDAY
2. City/Country:------Cotonou - Benin Republic.
3. Question---------Honest
4. Answer:----------Trust
5. Amonut:----------US$160
6. MTCN: -----------???.
7. Sender Name------
Dr FRANK JIM
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Anti-fraud resources:
