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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- chigoziehalidu147@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: chigozie halidu <chigoziehalidu425@att.net>
Reply-To: chigoziehalidu147@rediffmail.com
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:18:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP WITH TRUST
E-mail:chigoziehalidu147@rediffmail.com
Good Day
I am Mr Chigozie Halidu.
citizen of Haiti. 23years old and presently residing in
Dakar-Senegal
because of the earthquake enormous crisis in my Country. I got your
contact in strict confidence through Senegal Chamber of Commerce.
I would Honestly want to seek for an immediate assistance from you, I have
$7.5 Million US dollars
belonging to my late Father Mr Aziz Halidu,an
international car merchant who deals on importation and
exportation of various expensive cars when we were in Haiti,an who was
killed bay earthquake enormous
crisis in my Country
I ran to Senegal refugee Camp when I Discovered danger to my life and that
of my only sister . My late
father has deposited the above mentioned Amount with a FINANCE FIRM in
(DAKAR SENEGAL) for safe keeping
before his death and i have every Documents regards the transaction I have
contacted the FINANCE FIRM
and confirmed the safety of the money/ inheritance.
As it is, I have the intention of investing the money oversees and however
needed a Foreigner who is
capable of giving adequate assistance to me by the way of clearing the
money from the FINANCE FIRM and
the reafter forwarding it to your Account for investments.
(1) To serve me as a guardian of this fund since I am only 23 years old.
(2) To make arrangement for me and my sister to come over to your country
to further
our education and to secure a resident permit in your country.
(3) also help us to transfer the money in any of your account pending my
arrival to meet with you
Do let me get your reply soon please we need this money to start a new
life and as well start up an
new investment in your country by your advice and guardians as a joint
partner as we shall continue
our study in your Country. You can reach me on this email
chigoziehalidu147@rediffmail.com
Mr Chigozie Halidu.
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