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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "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.
- 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.
- ministry.o84@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Angela Smith <studijni_vos@edukomplex.cz>
Reply-To: ministry.o84@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2017 08:05:08 +0100
Subject: Your payment reference code Number; MTM/PTF/0041/16
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Attn; My Dear
Its my pleasure to inform you that your name appeared in the list of
beneficiaries not yet received there approved fund.Due to over delayed
and inability to claim your approved fund,in this regard you are among
the beneficiaries approved to receive a compensation sum of USD2.5M [TWO
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY] as approved by debt
reconciliation department of Ministry of finance Cotonou Benin.Your fund
has been approved for payment via ATM CARD DELIVERY TO YOUR ADDRESS OR
Telegraphic wire transfer into your bank account depending on your
choice
However your payment has been programmed,you are requested to contact
MR EDWARD BENSON the foreign operation department Director Ministry of
Finance Benin with below information whom in-charge of your payment
MR EDWARD BENSON
EMAIL; ministry.o84@yahoo.com
TELEPHONE; +229-99 61 6065
Your payment reference code Number; MTM/PTF/0041/16
You can send to him your full name, home address,telephone number and
your payment reference code. Do contact him now and inform your desired
option
Regards
Dr THERESA GODSWILL
DIRECTOR DEBT RECONCILIATION department Ministry
Finance BENIN.
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Anti-fraud resources:
