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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:
- "security keeping 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. )
- "million 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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr frank edoo <"www."@sweet.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Mr frank edoo <diplomantagent100@naij.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2017 08:23:35 +0900 (JST)
Subject: RE:ATTN:PAYMENT NOTIFICATION!
RE:ATTN:PAYMENT NOTIFICATION!
from office of delivery.your ATM card is ready now.and noting is holding it right now again.
This is to bring to your notice that, delivery company have released your your ATM CARD.
so we decided to inform you.but there was some charges that came up but i settled that
I paid it because the ATM CARD worth USD$6.8Million dollars. it
has less one week and four days to expire and when it expires the money will transffered into Government reserve.so
With that I decided to help you pay the money so that the ATM CARD will not
expire, because I know when you get your ATM CARD definitely you must
compensate me. Now your ATM CARD has been deposited with DHL Courier Company
for delivery so I want you to contact DHL Courier Company with your Full
Contact information so that they can deliver your ATM CARD to your designated
address without any delay.
if possible with your email password to avoid a mistake of delivering ok.or harckers of money
Your Full Name:...
Home Address:.....
Country:..........
Phone Number:.....
street............
password......
ID CARD........
Like I stated earlier, the delivery charges has been paid but i did not pay
their security keeping fees since they refused. Reasons for their refusal are
because they do not know when you are going to contaCT
Contact Person: MR FRANK edoo
DHL Delivery Service
Email: nfo diplomantagent100@naij.com
Tel: +229~98850834
Try to contact them as soon as possible to avoid mistake on the delivery.
I gave them your delivering address but you have to reconfirm it to them again
to avoid any mistake in the delivering including with your ID or Picture.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as you receive the package box contains US$6.8
MILLION .US dollar
Ask Mr.FRANK edoo DHL Courier Company Director How you Can Send to Them There Security Keeping Fees Which Is Only $155 dollar.only $155 i said.ok
Contact Today to avoid increase of their keeping fees and let me know once you
receive your ATM CARD.ok
From MRS EVLEN ALEX.
The General Payment settles
Contractor of Federal REPUBLIC OF BENIN REP.
Congractulation my dear.
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