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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. )
- "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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "prueba" <prueba@orion.cnc1.net>
Reply-To: westernuniontransferzon@rocketmail.com
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2012 06:06:55 -0400
Subject: WETERN UNION MTCN: 223 205 6524
WETERN UNION MTCN: 223 205 6524
This is from Western union department Benin Republic are we are hereby letting
you know that your fund valued $1.5 million dollars have over stayed in our
office, so the board of trust in this department then issue that will use this
xams period to inform you that you have a special bonus and the only money you
are to send for you to began to receive your fund 5000.00 dollars per day is
only but 120 dollars only.
And again that is the only money you are to send, my dear if any one ask you
to send money after you have send this $120 dollars let is not me well with me
and my entire house hold, while and saying this is because am 220% sure of
what am telling you.
My advice to you now is for you to rush to any western union around you and
send the $120 dollars immediately with this information below.
SENDER'S NAME..Dr George Koffi
AMOUNT...$5000.00 USD
TEXT QUESTION...MONEY?
ANSWER...5000.00 dollars
MTCN:.. 223 205 6524
Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone
unless you will call +229-98-284780.
After the payment of $120.usd you will start receiving your money every
blessed day $5000.00 through western union
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below
Receiver Name----MICHEAL OZOEMENE
Country------ Benin Republic
City------- Cotonou
Question------Benin
Answer-------Republic
AM0UNT.......$120 USD
Sender Name----
MTCN Number---
Please we are waiting to hear from you toward this imperative this is your
change for you to only send 120 dollars and then have your fund,
Dr George Koffi
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Anti-fraud resources:
