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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. )
- "the 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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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. )
- "lagos" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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 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.
- lawwelffarechember@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Federal High Court Of Nigeria." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawwelffarechember@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:37:41 -0400
Subject: COMPENSATION FOR SCAM VICTIMS
Good day.
This to inform you that your e-mail address was found among the list of people that has been scammed by Nigerian impostors, It might interest you to know that a total sum of $3.5million had been set aside for compensation which will be deliver to you in a consignment box ,it was endorsed by the Presidency Federal Republic of Nigeria in conjunction with the homeland security during our first meeting this year.
Meanwhile, you are to contact the chamber in charge in respect of Barrister Richard Nelson with the details below
Name: Barrister lawrence Johnson
E-mail: lawwelffarechember@rediffmail.com
For further progressive on how to make sure your fund is delivered to you,kindly fill the below requirement.
Full Name
Delivery address
Telephone number
Any form of identification of yourself
Be aware that all beneficiary will be responsible for shipping charges which cannot be deducted from the fund because there is a bond holding the consignment that stated that only the sole beneficiary of the fund is permitted to open it,the shipping charges is only $90 Also note that the federal high Court here will alert the United State Bureau and also your state police immediately your shipment leave the shore of Nigeria so as to avoid any restriction and problem before the fund get to its port of destination.
Below is the cashiers details to send the shipping charges via western union money transfer.
NAME: JAMES OBIOHA .C.
ADDRESS: Lagos Nigeria, 23401
QUESTION: Color
ANSWER: Green
AMOUNT: $90
Get back with the MTCN# for easy confirmation.
Thanks.
Best Regard.
Federal High Court Of Nigeria.
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