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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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: PAYMENT OFFICE WESTERN UNION <fedexcourier_deliverycompany4040@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: wpaymentoffice@yahoo.cn
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:45:46 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Your Western Union Payment Is Ready
Happy New Year Dear Beneficiary, Note that after the meeting take place today at Federal High Court Benin Republic that our Government and IMF have reached to an agreement that you have to pay $99 dollars only in other to start picking up your payment which have already sent to you today, this $99 dollars is to renew your payment file to 2012 project file and that is only money you have to send for your total fund and know one will ask you for money after our office confirm the $99 dollars.
Do bear it in mind that at this point of time that our office is not going to plead, for you to send down the money because our governments have concluded that if you did not come up with their demand urgently that your total fund will add to this year Government project. So if you are ready to start receiving your daily payment simple go ahead and send down the money to below information and pick up your first payment of 7.000.00 dollars in next one hours after our office register the fee of $99 dollars here.
Receiver's Name== Nkechikwulu Chinedu
Country ========= Benin Republic
City ============ Cotonue
Test Question === God's
Answer ========== Time
Amount ==========
Sender's Name ===
MTCN #
Waiting for the payment details for urgent releasing of your first payment to you immediately without any further delay. my Dear I word is enough for the wise one, do the right thing at this point of time and pick up your first payment also,
Thanks and God Bless
Dr. John Ruben
E-mail
Director Of Western Union Office Benin Republic
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Anti-fraud resources:
