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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. )
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "barr.eric_b@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: Senator Vivian Lewis <lawrence_leabres88@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: barr.eric_b@ymail.com
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 11:59:59 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Re:Contact my secretary Barr. Eric Brown.
Dear Esteemed Customer,
It is a surprise that until this moment we have not heard from you. A certified check of $3,500.000 (Three Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) with us which was issued in your name by the Western Union manager in Cotonou.This check was registered to be delivered to your doorstep and the check is ready,please we will like you to update us about your conclusion with the certified check.call me or get back as soon as you receive this email.
We also do not know if you are still willing to receive your certified check this year 2012 and we will only be at rest if we hear from you.here is my personal phone number +229 98879294 contact anytime i will be waiting on your urgent response.Now I want you to contact my secretary on the information below:
Name: Barr. Eric Brown.
Email: barr.eric_b@ymail.com
Telephone / +229-98879294
Send him the below Information for the delivery of your International Bank Draft:
Full Name:..................
Age:...................
sex:...................
Occupation:............
Residence Address:.......
Phone Number:...........
Country:..............
Keep me posted as soon as you received your International Bank from my Secretary as instructed.
Yours faithfully.
Senator Vivian Lewis.
Re:Contact my secretary Barr. Eric Brown.
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