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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)
- "million 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "marbel.konate@yahoo.com.hk" <miss.marbelkonate@amicable.biz>
Reply-To: marbel.konate@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:08:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: IN GOD I TRUST
My Dearest helper,
Good day and compliments of the season!
I am Miss. Marbel Konate from Cote d'Ivoire West Africa. I am the only child (daughter) of my late parents late Mr & Mrs Konate. May their gengle soul rest in perfect peace Amen!
I am totally convinced to write you in reference of the transfer of(US$12M) Twelve Million United States Dollars into your account for onward investment (industries) in your country.
Though we have not met before but I strongly believe that one has to confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.
There is this amount of Twelve Million US Dollars ($12,000, 000.00) which my late Father (Late Mr. Konate) deposited for me in a security and storage company here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire West Africa before he was assassinated by some unknown hoodlums in on going political war here in our country.
Because of recent political/civil war eructed here by the rebel group, I decided to invest this money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons. I want you to help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment.
If you can be of assistance to me, I will be pleased to offer to you the 20% of this total fund (indicated above).
Further details will be made known to you on confirmation of your interest to assist me.
Your urgent reply will be highly appreciated.
Thanking you and God bless.
Miss. Marbel Konate.
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