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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:
- "required fee " (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. )
- "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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. David Collins" <konkonkonkon194@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. David Collins" <mr.david_collins@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 01:11:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: APPROVED SETTLEMENT NOTICE US$15.5MILLION
APPROVED SETTLEMENT NOTICE US$15.5MILLION
Does it means that you are no more interested of making the claim of your outstanding fund US$15.5MILLION of yours which have successful channel to transfer and reflect into your bank and up till this moment you have decided to remain silent after I have personally took an Oath for you to secure this fund.
With all due respect, if you really know that you are no more interested of making this claim of your outstanding fund of yours kindly update me now to cancel this Transfer since your negative thought does not allow you to believe on the reality so send me a declaration letter stated that you are no more interested of making the claim so that I will cancel the transfer.
What makes you think that you will not secure your fund and have Access of the fund as Beneficiary and you should know that I have made everything possible for you so kindly go now and send this Fee US$65 so that the Ownership Certificate will obtain to enable the Transfer procurement payment slip submit to your bank authority for confirmation of the fund into your bank account.
Does it means that you are internationally want to delay this matter and it has been long that I made the announcement of release of your fund which is ready to be with you so with all due respect I advice you to go now and send this Fee immediately without any delay and update me because I want you to secure this fund as a agreed and signed.Make sure that you scan the Attached Copy of payment slip to me immediately
You are advice to send the US$65 by Western Union or Money Gram as directed below and update with the Attached Copies of payment Information for recorded as directed immediately and also get ready and I am at your Service because of your Funds transfer is READY which you know that you have to appreciate the effort that Benin new present Government made for you to secure your fund with a copy of Transfer payment Slip to you for Handover.
With all due respect, please do not delay to send this fee Today because this is a last chance and final conclusion. Kindly do your best now to send the Fee and update me immediately
CONGRATULATIONS.
On behalf of this Democratic Government of United States of America (U.S.A), I apologize for any delay you might have encountered in receiving your Fund in the past.
By virtue of law, you have to go now and make the payment of the required Fee as directed Below to enable the Ownership Certificate obtain and issue in your Name of your Funds Transfer to be made immediately because this is the time and moment you supposed to receiving of your contract funds as Beneficiary.
I officially wait for the Attached Copy of Payment Transfer Slip Information Scan for Recorded of your Funds Transfer to be made immediately.
The above money should be sent via WESTERN UNION TRANSFER OR MONEY GRAM within 24 Hrs in favor of the smooth confirmation of the funds of your Funds into your Bank Account.
Receiver Name: Peter Olisa
Address: Cotonou, Benin Republic
Test Question ; Good
Test Answer: Time
Sender Name....
AMOUNT:US$65
MTCN....
THANKS
Mr. David Collins
Phone:+229 -66073279
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Anti-fraud resources:
