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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:
- "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)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "fecbj200@live.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "fecbj200@live.fr" (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.
- 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: "Dr.Alex Kenneth" <alexkenneth169@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Dr.Alex Kenneth" <fecbj200@live.fr>
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:25:39 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: U.S. Ambassador to Benin
 Senior Resident Representative in Benin
01 Bp 1478 Cotonou. Benin Republic
Telephone: +229 98185502
Contact email fecbj200@live.fr
This is U.S Embassy Cotonou Benin Republic Dr. Alex Kenneth. The total sum of $2.500.000.00 USD was deposited here by TNT COURIER COMPANY under the instruction of Federal Government Treasure. We have been waiting for you to contact us over the transfer of the fund but we did not hear from you and we schedule to send your fund to you by Private Diplomatic Agent to your house destination upon the receipt of your delivery address.
The diplomatic agent Mr. Alfred I. Ego will leave this country by tomorrow morning on transit to your country. You have to be ready for his arrival because he will call you upon his arrival to your country and you will be ready to welcome him and clear your consignment at the airport upon his arrival. He will give you your consignment Airway Bill before handing your consignment to you and its from that Airway Bill you will see the KEY CODE TO UNLOCK your consignment.
You are required to send your complete delivery data such as your current house/office address, your first and second receiver's name, your direct phone contact number, and your city also the scan copy of your ID. We have paid for the obtaining of the beneficiary documents on your behalf.
You can also contact Diplomat Alfred I. Ego on his email below
(topchronotzff7@live.fr) to notify him that you are waiting for his arrival.
Dr. Alex Kenneth.
U.S. Ambassador to Benin
Contact email fecbj200@live.fr
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Anti-fraud resources:
