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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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: RAPHAEL KAMARA <a101r@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: rapael63@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:02:27 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Letter of Assistance from Raph Kamara
Dearest Friend,
.
With due respect and that is why I call for help to please Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you.
I am Raphael Kamara the only son of late mr solomon kamara , My father was a very wealthy cocoa merchant in Abidjan the economic capital of Ivory coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on the first of January 2008 on their outing for the new year celebration.
My mother died when I was a baby and since then my father took me so special.
Before the death of my father on january 2008 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of $20 million United State Dollars. US(20.m) left in fixed /suspense account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan that he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in Depositing of the fund.
He told me that I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where i will transfer this money into and use it for investment purpose such as real estate management or hotel management and filling station.I am honourably seeking your assistance .
Moreover, I am willing to offer you 25% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominated account overseas.
All the necessary arrangement has been made at the bank where my late father deposited this money and the Director of the bank told me that as soon as an account of my choice is forwarded to their bank.
they will transfer this money to my destination.Let proceed in this transaction which I beleived that in few days you shall call me for good news that you have comfirm my money in an account which you will provide.
Furthermore, you indicate your options towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within (3) days you signify interest to assist me.
All the relevants documents which my late father used in deposting of this money will be sent to you immediately I hear from you for more confirmation and trust and confidence in this transaction.
Thanks and be bless.
Sincerely,
Raph.Kamara
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