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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "dr.muhtarman@fastwebmail.it" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "dr.muhtarman@fastwebmail.it" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Mansur Muhtar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.muhtarman@fastwebmail.it>
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 01:25:24 +0200
Subject: Re: {YOUR OUTSTANDING INHERITANCE/CONTRACT}
Presidential Unit on Monetary Matters
Federal Ministry of Finance
Head of Department Unit Dr. M. Muhtar
Federal Capital Territory Abuja Nigeria.
Email: dr.muhtarman@fastwebmail.it
Phone: +234-1-2146868
Re: {YOUR OUTSTANDING INHERITANCE/CONTRACT}
I am Mansur Muhtar, Minister Of Finance Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel which just concluded it seating in Abuja just released your name amongst contractors to benefit from the Diplomatic Immunity Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated contract claims, contracts and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our dear country. However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid contractor while auditing was going on.
Your contract file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed fund, we wish to use this medium to inform you that for the time being Federal Government of Nigeria have stopped further payment through bank to bank transfer due to contractors numerous petitions to United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of contract funds to different accounts. In this regards, we are going to send your contract part payment of $4.5 Million USD. To you via our accredited shipping company and I have secured every needed documents to cover the money while the diplomat will get it delivered to you right in your door step.
Note: The money is coming on Metal Trunk Box weighing approximately 80kg. The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. Please you don't have to worry for anything as the transaction is 100% risk free. The boxes are coming with a Diplomatic agent who will accompany the boxes to your house address. All communication must be held extremely confidential. Provide these information further proceedings.
1. Your full name:
2. Phone and fax number:
3. Address where your metal trunk box will be direct to:
4. Your age and current occupation:
5. Attach copy of your identification:
I look forward to your rapid response.
Regards,
Dr. Mansur Muhtar
Minister of Finance Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Email: dr.muhtarman@fastwebmail.it
Phone: +234-1-2146868
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