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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Charles Wilson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <charleswilson202@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:59:24 -0000
Subject: Dearest one
Dearest one
I ascertained your contact just in my search for a foreign investor/guardian who would probably assist me in my future business/investment programmed.
My name is Charles Wilson the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wilson (both late). My Father was a reputable business magnet who based in Abidjan the federal capital territory of Cote d'Ivoire during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September 2007. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his' who travel with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs old, and since then my father took me so special.
Before his death, he called me and told me that he has the sum of TEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS (US$10MILLION) left in Security Company and declared the content of the box as FAMILY VALUABLE belonging to his foreign partner and no name was mentioned as the foreign partner. And also gave me all the necessary but legal documents to this fund with the security firm.
I am just 20 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now i want you to represent me as my late father foreign partner so that the security company will release the box of the money to you. Once this cash box is released to you, I will come and reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be convenient for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Cote d’Ivoire.
The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also want to invest the fund under your care because I am ignorant of business world. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regard. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:
1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?
4. Your residential house address
5. Your direct telephone and fax number
Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my Picture and also inform you more details involved in this matter.
I am waiting for your reply
Charles Wilson.
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