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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "diplom.johnpaul@zbavitu.net" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: JOHN PAUL <diplom.johnpaul@zbavitu.net>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2015 09:32:15 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: KINDELY CALL MR.DAVID GOMEZ FOR YOUR ATM CARD WITH THIS PHONE
NUMBER(+229 99484594)
 Dear Friend,
Your package ATM Card have been registered with D.H.LÂ this morning
and we agreed up that the delivery of your $3.5 compensation
Fund will take off tomorrow morning.So contact them with your full info
Contact Mr.David Gomez
Tel: (+229)99484594
Email:diplom.johnpaul@zbavitu.net
Note,Try Send them the delivery charge of $37 with info bellow
and the Tracking number of your package will be sent to you
tomorrow morning immediately the payment is Received
for you to Monitor the arrival of your package
Receivers...Buchinna Ezeorah
Country...Benin Rep.
City..Cotonou
Text Q..Ok
Answer...Ok
Amount $37
MTCN==
Senders Name==
Sender Address==
Phone Number==
We are definitely expecting your urgent respond
Thank you,
Mrs,Judith Savanah
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Anti-fraud resources:
