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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "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.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- brownmrjames897@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Patrick Mike" <jsousa@secrel.com.br>
Reply-To: brownmrjames897@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2017 04:59:13 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Christmas Bonanza! Christmas Bonanza!!Christmas Bonanza!!!
Christmas Bonanza! Christmas Bonanza!!Christmas Bonanza!!!
This is from Western union department Benin Republic are we are hereby
letting you know that your fund valued $2.8 million dollars have over
stayed in our office, so the board of trust in this department then issue
that will use this xams period to inform you that you have a special bonus
and the only money you are to send for you to began to receive your fund
$7500.00 dollars per day is only but $45 dollars only.
And again that is the only money you are to send, my dear if any one ask
you to send money after you have send this $45 dollars let is not me well
with me and my entire house hold, while and saying this is because am 175%
sure of what am telling you.
My advice to you now is for you to rush to any western union around you
and send the $45 dollars immediately with this information below.
Receiver Name---------- Andy Mike
Country--------------- Benin Republic
City------------- Cotonou
Question----------Honest
Answer--------------Trust
Amount--------------$45 us dollars
Sender Name---------
MTCN Number-----
Please we are waiting to hear from you toward this imperative this is your
change for you to only send $45 dollars and then have your fund, happy
xmas in advance.
My regard to your family. E-mail Address [ brownmrjames897@gmail.com ]
Mr Patrick Mike
call me once you send the fee today +229 98 33 25 52
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Anti-fraud resources:
