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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Lilian Mesah <lilian@tedescom.net>
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 21:33:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Mrs Lilian Mesah.
>From Mrs Lilian Mesah.
11,Rue des Jean Paul
Deux-Plateaux
Abidjan, Cte D\'Ivoire.
My Dear,
It is my pleasure to Contact you for a business venture which I and my Son George intend to establish in your country. Though I have not met with you before but I believe one has to risk confiding in succeed sometimes in life. I can confide on you for the brighter future of my Son since you are a human being like me. There is this huge amount of Fifteen Million five hundred thousand United States Dollars. ($15.500.000.00) which my late Husband kept for us IN a bank here in Abidjan Cote D'ivoire before he was assassinated by unknown persons, Now I and my son George decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough for security and political reasons.
We want you to help us claim this fund from the bank and transfer it into your personal account in your country for investment purposes in your country in these areas:
1).Telecommunication
2).The transport Industry
3).Five Star Hotel
4).Tourism
5).Real Estate
If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to offer to you 15% of the total fund.
I await your soonest
Response.
Respectfully yours,
Mrs Lilian Mesah And Son George.
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Anti-fraud resources:
