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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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- 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.
- ww.westenunionbenindep@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: WESTERN UNION <westernnn88@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ww.western484@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 20:21:02 +0300
Subject: Your Payment by western union head office!!!!!
Hello My Dear
Your Total Fund Through Western Union Now
Inform Board of International Monetary Fund/World Bank and Federal
Ministry of Finance Benin Republic are here to notify you of your
payment inherited lottery outstanding funds of $850,000.00USD have
arranged to be transfer to you through HEAD OFFICE WESTERN UNION
SERVICE After the meeting held on 11th of JULY 2012. With His
Excellence the PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC DU BENIN (DR YAYI BONI) to avoid
paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through global or
fraud stars, and you are required to reconfirm your name and address
were you want your fund to be sent through HEADQUARTER WESTERN UNION
MONEY TRANSFER.
However the maximum amount you will be receiving each day starting
from tomorrow is sum of (US$5000.00.three (3) times per day which is
$15000.00USD) until the total fund is finished. In order to resolve
this problem, please email Western Union Money Transfer Solicitors
Fund Verification Department:
Moreover We have already transfer your first $15000.00 in three part
so Contact Foreign Operation Manager western union Dr.Brown Larry, for
re-new and reconfirm your old payment file and He will also release
and send you three (3) M.T.C.N for pick up your first bit by bit
transferred of $15000.00 after re-new and reconfirm of your old
payment file with info below.
CONTACT: DR.BROWN LARRY
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
E-MAIL: ( ww.westenunionbenindep@gmail.com)
DIRECT TEL: +229 984 868 53
Wait to hear from you once your start picking up thank.
Yours in service.
Ms Mercy Jan, Finance Minister
Federal Republic of Benin
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Anti-fraud resources:
