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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- pofficebeninr@mail.ru (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Ralph Johnson <"www."@celery.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Mr Ralph Johnson <jmrralph@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2016 06:19:55 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention Dear
Attention Dear
How are you today? this is to bring to your notice about your package, and the content of the package is $2.5Million ( TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS). This is your CONTRACT/INHERITANCE fund from the federal Republic of Benin and we were instructed to ship it to you as soon as we are able to hear from you with your full delivery information.
Here is the information required for you to receive your package.
1. Your Full Name ========
2. Your Direct Cell No ========
3. Your Postal address ========
4. Your City ========
5. Your ID ========
In service with Post Office
Tel: +229 630 36 562
Email: pofficebeninr@mail.ru
Email: paul.kwudi@benin.postoffice
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Anti-fraud resources:
