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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:
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "westernuniobeninn@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "westernuniobeninn@outlook.com" (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.
- 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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- westernnionbeninn@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Western Union office <fileoffice1988@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernuniobeninn@outlook.com
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2022 10:28:15 +0100
Subject: Your first payment of $5000 is ready MTCN #-----4420429799
*Address: 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.Benin
RepublicTell: **( +229- <%2B229%20-68684930>99158739*
* )Email:( **westernuniobeninn@outlook.com <westernnionbeninn@gmail.com>*
* )*
*URGENT ATTENTION.*
*How are you doing today? I write to inform you that we have already sent
you $5000.00usd dollars through Western union as we have been given the
mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of $2.7Million
USD via western union by this government .I was calling your telephone to
give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls
through out that night. Now I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name
so that you will pick up the $5000.00 usd to enable us send another
$5000.00 usd today as you know we will be sending you only $5000.00 usd per
day and it was agree that you will pay the sum of $155.00 before they will
release the payment to $5000.Track the information now to see that it is
there.*
*Noted that only fee you are to send to them is for your fund Reactivate
fee it will no cost you more than $155 only that is all. to easy you pick
up the first payment the sum of $5000 today as soon as possible you comply
back the instruction give to you for immediately start making use of your
first payment sent today.*
*https://wumt.westernunion.com/
<https://wumt.westernunion.com/>info/homePage.asp?country &origination=US
**
MTCN #------------------------*4420429799
* Sender's First
name----------Willis *
* Sender's Last name--------Musa*
* RECEIVER ..IN ..YOUR ..NAME*
* TEST QUESTION----....-- WHEN*
*
ANSWER---------........----NOW **
AMOUNT----------.....--$5,*
*000usd .............................**..............................*
*..............................*
*........................*
*Here's the info to send the $155.00*
*Receivers name......Country................. Benin
RepublicCity............... CotonouQuestion: When?answer: TodaySender....
NameSender.. Country Be advise that the $155.00 is a compulsory as they
told me that is only money you will pay until you receive your payment
completely and you have to re-confirm your full Name and home address and
direct phone number to avoid e any wrong deposit okay. I am waiting for
your call once you pick up this $5000.00usd, Please email me your direct
telephone number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment
for the information. please follow our instruction you will never regret
knowing me in your life then, you will receive your first of $5000.00
within 45 minutes after receiving the money from you Here is the
information the western union office need from you....*
*your full name__your country__your phone numbers_____your age__
yrs.___Your occupation____Thank,*
*Director: Ezechucks SolomonTry to call him with his cell phone number
+229-99158739 <%2B229%20-68684930> *
* emails: (
westernuniobeninn@outlook.com <westernnionbeninn@gmail.com> )*
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